Garuda Purana — Moksha Sadhana Prakarana, Shloka 53
Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority
स्कान्दं पाद्मं वामनं वै वराहं तथाग्रेयं भविष्यं पर्वसृष्टौ / एतान्याहू राजसानीति विप्रास्तत्रैकदेशः सात्त्विकस्तामसश्च
skāndaṃ pādmaṃ vāmanaṃ vai varāhaṃ tathāgreyaṃ bhaviṣyaṃ parvasṛṣṭau / etānyāhū rājasānīti viprāstatraikadeśaḥ sāttvikastāmasaśca
《斯甘达往世书》《莲华往世书》《侏儒往世书》《野猪往世书》，以及《火往世书》《未来往世书》与《Parva-sṛṣṭi》——婆罗门宣称这些多属激动之性（rājasa）。然而其中亦有部分为纯善（sāttvika）与昏暗（tāmasa）。
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Texts may be predominantly rājasa yet contain sāttvika/tāmasa sections; discernment must be granular (aikadeśa).
Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-miśratā of prakṛti; the need for viveka to extract what purifies and avoid what agitates or deludes.
Application: Read with guidance and context; identify sections aligned with one’s aim (mokṣa/bhakti/dharma) and avoid portions that inflame rajas or deepen tamas.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.1.54 (why rājasa should be avoided by mumuṣus; yet sattvika portions exist)
FAQs
This verse explains that Purāṇas are grouped by dominant guṇa (sattva/rajas/tamas), helping a seeker choose texts aligned with their spiritual goal and temperament.
No. It explicitly notes that even in those declared rājasa, some sections are sāttvika and some are tāmasa, indicating mixed content within a dominant orientation.
Select readings and practices that increase sattva (clarity, steadiness) while recognizing that scriptures can contain diverse material—so focus on the portions that support ethical living, devotion, and self-discipline.