Shloka 58

Jñāna-hetu-nirūpaṇa

On the Causes/Means of Knowledge

Devanagari script

ते ऽधं तमः प्रविशन्ते ते दैत्या न च ते सुराः / वायावप्यन्तरं नास्ति हरितत्त्वविनिर्णये

Transliteration

te 'dhaṃ tamaḥ praviśante te daityā na ca te surāḥ / vāyāvapyantaraṃ nāsti haritattvavinirṇaye

Translation

他们坠入下界幽暗；他们是阿修罗族的代底耶，并非诸天。于判定诃利（毗湿奴）真实本性之时，连一丝缝隙也不存在——以至于风也无处可穿行其间。

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• अधम्: downwards / to a lower (state)
• अधम्: Gati/Karma (गति/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adverbial accusative: 'downwards/into a lower state'

• तमः: darkness
• तमः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• प्रविशन्ते: enter
• प्रविशन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + विश् (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• दैत्या: demons
• दैत्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-अव्यय)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• सुराः: gods
• सुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• वायौ: in Vāyu
• वायौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• अपि: also / even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (सम्भावना/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय) meaning 'also/even'

• अन्तरम्: difference
• अन्तरम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-अव्यय)

• अस्ति: is
• अस्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• हरितत्त्वविनिर्णये: in the determination of Hari's true nature
• हरितत्त्वविनिर्णये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि-तत्त्व-विनिर्णय (प्रातिपदिक; हरि + तत्त्व + विनिर्णय)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Hari-tattva is non-negotiable and internally consistent; those who misconstrue it fall into ‘lower darkness’.

Vedantic Theme: Siddhānta-niścaya; rejection of viparīta-jñāna; implicit affirmation of Brahman/Hari as the final reality beyond conceptual ‘gaps’.

Application: Study and reflect on Vishnu-tattva with disciplined reasoning and śāstra-guided inquiry; avoid sectarian mischaracterizations that lead to spiritual ‘darkness’.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.12.59-62 (anti-nindā and nirguṇa contemplation)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Daityas
• Suras (Devas)
• Vayu (Wind)

FAQs

What is the importance of Hari-tattva (the principle of Vishnu) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames correct discernment of Hari-tattva as a decisive dividing line: those who oppose or misconstrue it are classed as Daityas and fall into lower darkness, emphasizing right understanding and devotion as spiritually consequential.

How does this verse explain the soul’s path after death?

By linking misalignment with divine truth to “lower darkness,” the verse implies that one’s inner orientation (dharma and devotion) shapes post-death destinations—upliftment versus descent into tamas (hellish obscurity).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate sattva through truthful living, restraint from harm, and sincere devotion; avoid actions and attitudes that deepen tamas (cruelty, arrogance, denial of dharma), since they are portrayed as leading to spiritual downfall.