The Means of Liberation

Verse 1 (garuda.2.49.1)

गरुड उवाच । श्रुता मया दयासिन्धो ह्यज्ञानाज्जीवसंसृतिः । अधुना श्रोतुमिच्छामि मोक्षोपायं सनातनम्

garuḍa uvāca śrutā mayā dayāsindho hyajñānājjīvasaṁsṛtiḥ adhunā śrotumicchāmi mokṣopāyaṁ sanātanam

Garuda said: "O ocean of compassion, I have heard of the soul's wandering through samsara, born of ignorance; now I wish to hear of the eternal means of liberation."

Verse 2 (garuda.2.49.2)

भगवन्देवदेवेश शरणागतवत्सल । असारे घोरसंसारे सर्वदुः खमलीमसे

bhagavandevadeveśa śaraṇāgatavatsala asāre ghorasaṁsāre sarvaduḥ khamalīmase

"O Lord, God of gods, tender to those who take refuge in you — in this worthless, terrible round of rebirth, foul with every sorrow,"

Verse 3 (garuda.2.49.3)

नानाविधशरीरस्था अनन्ता जीवराशयः । जायन्ते च म्रियन्ते च तेषामन्तो न विद्यते

nānāvidhaśarīrasthā anantā jīvarāśayaḥ jāyante ca mriyante ca teṣāmanto na vidyate

"countless multitudes of souls, lodged in bodies of every kind, are born and die; of them there is no end."

Verse 4 (garuda.2.49.4)

सदा दुः खातुरा एव न सखी विद्यते क्कचित् । केनोपायेन मोक्षेश मुच्यन्ते वद मे प्रभो

sadā duḥ khāturā eva na sakhī vidyate kkacit kenopāyena mokṣeśa mucyante vada me prabho

"They remain ever afflicted with sorrow, finding no true companion anywhere. O Lord of liberation, by what means are they set free? Tell me, O Lord."

Verse 5 (garuda.2.49.5)

श्रीभगवानुबाच । शृणु तार्क्ष्य प्रवक्ष्यामि यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण संसारान्मुच्यते नरः

śrībhagavānubāca śṛṇu tārkṣya pravakṣyāmi yanmāṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi yasya śravaṇamātreṇa saṁsārānmucyate naraḥ

Shri Bhagavan said: "Listen, Tarkshya. I shall declare what you ask of me — that by the mere hearing of which a man is freed from samsara."

Verse 6 (garuda.2.49.6)

अस्ति देवः परब्रह्मस्वरूपो निष्कलः शिवः । सर्वज्ञः सर्वकर्ता च सर्वेशो निर्मलोऽद्वयः

asti devaḥ parabrahmasvarūpo niṣkalaḥ śivaḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvakartā ca sarveśo nirmalo'dvayaḥ

"There is a supreme God, of the very form of the highest Brahman, undivided, auspicious, all-knowing, the maker of all, lord of all, stainless, and without a second,"

Verse 7 (garuda.2.49.7)

स्वयञ्ज्योतिरनाद्यन्तो निर्विकारः परात्परः । निर्गुणः सच्चिदानन्दस्तदंशा जीवसंज्ञकाः

svayañjyotiranādyanto nirvikāraḥ parātparaḥ nirguṇaḥ saccidānandastadaṁśā jīvasaṁjñakāḥ

"self-luminous, without beginning or end, unchanging, higher than the highest, without qualities, being-consciousness-bliss; the souls, called jivas, are portions of him,"

Verse 8 (garuda.2.49.8)

अनाद्यविद्योपहता यथाग्नौ विस्फुलिङ्गकाः । देहाद्युपाधिसम्भिन्नास्ते कर्मभिरनादिभिः

anādyavidyopahatā yathāgnau visphuliṅgakāḥ dehādyupādhisambhinnāste karmabhiranādibhiḥ

"struck by beginningless ignorance, like sparks flying from a fire; set apart by the limiting condition of the body and the rest, through beginningless deeds,"

Verse 9 (garuda.2.49.9)

सुखदुः खप्रदैः पुण्यपारूपैर्नियन्त्रिताः । तत्तज्जातियुतं देहमायुर्भोगञ्च कर्मजम्

sukhaduḥ khapradaiḥ puṇyapārūpairniyantritāḥ tattajjātiyutaṁ dehamāyurbhogañca karmajam

"constrained by deeds of merit and demerit that bring pleasure and pain, they obtain in every birth a body suited to their kind, a lifespan, and enjoyment born of their deeds."

Verse 10 (garuda.2.49.10)

प्रतिजन्म प्रपद्यन्ते तेषामपि परं पुनः । ससूक्ष्मलिङ्गशरीरमामोक्षादक्षरं खग

pratijanma prapadyante teṣāmapi paraṁ punaḥ sasūkṣmaliṅgaśarīramāmokṣādakṣaraṁ khaga

"O bird, their subtle body too remains imperishable until liberation."

Verse 11 (garuda.2.49.11)

स्थावराः कृमयश्चाजाः पक्षिणः पशवो नगः । धार्मिकास्त्रिदशास्तद्वन्मोक्षिणश्च यथाक्रमम्

sthāvarāḥ kṛmayaścājāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ paśavo nagaḥ dhārmikāstridaśāstadvanmokṣiṇaśca yathākramam

"Immobile beings, worms, goats, birds, beasts, mountains, the righteous, the gods, and likewise the liberated — in due order,"

Verse 12 (garuda.2.49.12)

चतुर्विधशरीराणि धृत्वा मुक्त्वा सहस्रशः । सुकृतान्मा नवो भूत्वा ज्ञानी चेन्मोक्षमाप्नुयात्

caturvidhaśarīrāṇi dhṛtvā muktvā sahasraśaḥ sukṛtānmā navo bhūtvā jñānī cenmokṣamāpnuyāt

"having taken on and abandoned the fourfold bodies thousands of times, if a soul becomes newly possessed of knowledge through good deeds, it may attain liberation."

Verse 13 (garuda.2.49.13)

चतुरशीतिलक्षेषु शरीरेषु शरीरिणाम् । न मानुषं विनान्यत्र तत्त्वज्ञानन्तु लभ्यते

caturaśītilakṣeṣu śarīreṣu śarīriṇām na mānuṣaṁ vinānyatra tattvajñānantu labhyate

"Among the eighty-four hundred thousand kinds of bodies, embodied beings attain the knowledge of truth nowhere but in the human one."

Verse 14 (garuda.2.49.14)

अत्र जन्मसहस्राणां सहस्रैरपि कोटिभिः । कदाचिल्लभते जन्तुर्मानुष्यं पुण्यसञ्चयात्

atra janmasahasrāṇāṁ sahasrairapi koṭibhiḥ kadācillabhate janturmānuṣyaṁ puṇyasañcayāt

"Here, even after thousands upon crores of births, a being obtains a human birth only sometimes, through an accumulation of merit."

Verse 15 (garuda.2.49.15)

सोपानभूतं मोक्षस्य मानुष्यं प्राप्य दुर्लभम् । यस्तार यति नात्मानं तस्मात्पापतरोऽत्र कः

sopānabhūtaṁ mokṣasya mānuṣyaṁ prāpya durlabham yastāra yati nātmānaṁ tasmātpāpataro'tra kaḥ

"Having obtained this human state, the stepping-stone to liberation, so exceedingly hard to attain, whoever does not deliver himself by it — who is a greater sinner than he in this world?"

Verse 16 (garuda.2.49.16)

नरः प्राप्येतरज्जन्म लब्ध्वा चेन्द्रियसौष्ठवम् । न वेत्त्यात्महितं यस्तु स भवेद्ब्रह्मघातकः

naraḥ prāpyetarajjanma labdhvā cendriyasauṣṭhavam na vettyātmahitaṁ yastu sa bhavedbrahmaghātakaḥ

"The man who, having obtained the finest of births and the fullness of his senses, still does not know his own true good, becomes equal to a slayer of Brahman."

Verse 17 (garuda.2.49.17)

विना देहेन कस्यापि पुरुषार्थो न विद्यते । तस्माद्देहं धनं रक्षेत्पुण्यकर्माणि साधयेत्

vinā dehena kasyāpi puruṣārtho na vidyate tasmāddehaṁ dhanaṁ rakṣetpuṇyakarmāṇi sādhayet

"Without a body, no one's true purpose in life is possible at all; therefore the body and wealth should be protected, and deeds of merit accomplished."

Verse 18 (garuda.2.49.18)

रक्षेच्चसर्वदात्मानमात्मा सर्ब्वस्य भाजनम् । रक्षणे यत्नमातिष्ठेज्जीवन् भद्राणि पश्यति

rakṣeccasarvadātmānamātmā sarbvasya bhājanam rakṣaṇe yatnamātiṣṭhejjīvan bhadrāṇi paśyati

"The self should always be protected; the self is the vessel of everything. Effort should be made in its protection; while living, a man sees good things."

Verse 19 (garuda.2.49.19)

पुनर्ग्रामः पुनः क्षेत्र पुनर्वित्तं पुनर्गृहम् । पुनः शुभाशुभं कर्म न शरीरं पुनः पुनः

punargrāmaḥ punaḥ kṣetra punarvittaṁ punargṛham punaḥ śubhāśubhaṁ karma na śarīraṁ punaḥ punaḥ

"A village may be had again, a field again, wealth again, a house again, good and bad deeds again — but the body is not to be had again and again."

Verse 20 (garuda.2.49.20)

शरीररक्षणोपायाः क्रि यन्ते सर्वदा बुधैः । नेच्छन्ति च पुनस्त्यागमपि कुष्ठादिरोगिणः

śarīrarakṣaṇopāyāḥ kri yante sarvadā budhaiḥ necchanti ca punastyāgamapi kuṣṭhādirogiṇaḥ

"The wise ever employ the means of protecting the body; even those afflicted with leprosy and the like do not wish to give it up again."

Verse 21 (garuda.2.49.21)

तद्गोपितं स्याद्धर्मार्थं धर्मो ज्ञानार्थमेव च । ज्ञानं तु ध्यानयोगार्थमचिरात्प्रविमुच्यते

tadgopitaṁ syāddharmārthaṁ dharmo jñānārthameva ca jñānaṁ tu dhyānayogārthamacirātpravimucyate

"That body should be preserved for the sake of dharma; dharma exists for the sake of knowledge alone; and knowledge is for the sake of meditation and yoga, by which one is swiftly liberated."

Verse 22 (garuda.2.49.22)

आत्मैव यदि नात्मानमहीतेभ्यो निवारयेत् । कोऽन्यो हितकरस्तस्मादात्मानं सुखयिष्यति

ātmaiva yadi nātmānamahītebhyo nivārayet ko'nyo hitakarastasmādātmānaṁ sukhayiṣyati

"If the self itself does not restrain the self from what is harmful, who else, more benevolent than the self, will bring it happiness?"

Verse 23 (garuda.2.49.23)

इहैव नरकव्याधेश्चिकित्सां न करोति यः । गत्वा निरौषधं देशं व्याधिम्थः किं करिष्यति

ihaiva narakavyādheścikitsāṁ na karoti yaḥ gatvā nirauṣadhaṁ deśaṁ vyādhimthaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati

"Whoever does not treat the sickness of hell right here — having gone to a land without medicine, what will he do once afflicted?"

Verse 24 (garuda.2.49.24)

व्याघ्रीवास्ते जरा चायुर्याति भिन्नघटाम्बुवत् । निघ्नन्ति रिपुवद्रोगास्तस्माच्छ्रेयः समभ्यसेत

vyāghrīvāste jarā cāyuryāti bhinnaghaṭāmbuvat nighnanti ripuvadrogāstasmācchreyaḥ samabhyaseta

"Old age crouches like a tigress; life ebbs away like water from a broken pot; diseases strike like enemies — therefore one should practice what is truly good."

Verse 25 (garuda.2.49.25)

यावन्नाश्रयते दुः खं यावन्नायान्ति चापदः । यावन्नेन्द्रियवैकल्यं तावच्छ्रेयः समभ्यसेत्

yāvannāśrayate duḥ khaṁ yāvannāyānti cāpadaḥ yāvannendriyavaikalyaṁ tāvacchreyaḥ samabhyaset

"As long as suffering has not taken hold, as long as calamities have not come, as long as the senses have not failed, for that long one should practice what is good."

Verse 26 (garuda.2.49.26)

यावत्तिष्ठति देहोऽयं तावत्तत्त्वं समभ्यसेत् । सन्दीप्तकोशभवने कूपं खनति दुर्मतिः

yāvattiṣṭhati deho'yaṁ tāvattattvaṁ samabhyaset sandīptakośabhavane kūpaṁ khanati durmatiḥ

"As long as this body endures, one should practice the truth. The fool digs a well only once the house is already ablaze."

Verse 27 (garuda.2.49.27)

कालो न ज्ञायते नानाकार्यैः संसारसम्भवैः । सुखं दुःखं जनो हन्त न वेत्ति हितमात्मनः

kālo na jñāyate nānākāryaiḥ saṁsārasambhavaiḥ sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ jano hanta na vetti hitamātmanaḥ

"Amid the manifold affairs arising from worldly life, time is not noticed; alas, people fail to know their own good, in either pleasure or pain."

Verse 28 (garuda.2.49.28)

जातानार्तान्मृतानापद्भष्टान्दृष्ट्वा च दुः खितान् । लोको मोहसुरां पीत्वा न बिभेति कदाचन

jātānārtānmṛtānāpadbhaṣṭāndṛṣṭvā ca duḥ khitān loko mohasurāṁ pītvā na bibheti kadācana

"Even seeing others born, afflicted, dead, struck by calamity, and grieving, people, having drunk the wine of delusion, are never afraid."

Verse 29 (garuda.2.49.29)

सम्पदः स्वप्नसंकाशा यौवनं कुसुमोपमम् । तडिच्चपलमायुष्यं कस्य स्याज्जानतो धृतिः

sampadaḥ svapnasaṁkāśā yauvanaṁ kusumopamam taḍiccapalamāyuṣyaṁ kasya syājjānato dhṛtiḥ

"Wealth is like a dream, youth is like a flower, life is as fickle as lightning — knowing this, whose composure could remain?"

Verse 30 (garuda.2.49.30)

शतं जीवितमत्यल्पं निद्रालस्यैस्तदर्धकम् । बाल्यरोगजरादुः खैरल्पं तदपि निष्फलम्

śataṁ jīvitamatyalpaṁ nidrālasyaistadardhakam bālyarogajarāduḥ khairalpaṁ tadapi niṣphalam

"A hundred years of life is already very little; half of it passes in sleep and idleness; and what little remains, spent amid the sorrows of childhood, sickness, and old age, is fruitless too."

Verse 31 (garuda.2.49.31)

प्रारब्धव्ये निरुद्योगी जागर्तव्ये प्रसुप्तकः । विश्वस्तश्च भयस्थाने हा नरः को न हन्यते

prārabdhavye nirudyogī jāgartavye prasuptakaḥ viśvastaśca bhayasthāne hā naraḥ ko na hanyate

"Whoever is idle when there is work to be done, asleep when he should be watchful, complacent even in a place of danger — alas, what man is not thereby ruined?"

Verse 32 (garuda.2.49.32)

तोयफेनसमे देहे जीवेनाक्रम्य संस्थिते । अनित्याप्रयसवासे कथ तिष्ठति निर्भयः

toyaphenasame dehe jīvenākramya saṁsthite anityāprayasavāse katha tiṣṭhati nirbhayaḥ

"The soul has seized and settled into a body like foam upon water; in this impermanent, unpleasant dwelling, how can a man remain free of fear?"

Verse 33 (garuda.2.49.33)

अहिते हितसंज्ञः स्यादध्रुवे ध्रुवसंज्ञकः । अनर्थे चार्थविज्ञानः स्वमर्थं यो न वेत्ति सः

ahite hitasaṁjñaḥ syādadhruve dhruvasaṁjñakaḥ anarthe cārthavijñānaḥ svamarthaṁ yo na vetti saḥ

"He who takes the harmful for the beneficial, the fleeting for the permanent, and sees purpose where there is only ruin, does not know his own true good."

Verse 34 (garuda.2.49.34)

पश्यन्नपि प्रस्खलति शृण्वन्नपि न बुध्यति । पठन्नपि न जानाति देवमायाविमोहितः

paśyannapi praskhalati śṛṇvannapi na budhyati paṭhannapi na jānāti devamāyāvimohitaḥ

"Even while seeing, he stumbles; even while hearing, he does not understand; even while reading, he does not know — for he is bewildered by the divine power of maya."

Verse 35 (garuda.2.49.35)

तन्निमज्जज्जगदिदं गम्भीरे कालसागरे । मृत्युरोगजराग्राहैर्न कश्चिदपि बुध्यते

tannimajjajjagadidaṁ gambhīre kālasāgare mṛtyurogajarāgrāhairna kaścidapi budhyate

"This whole world, sinking into the deep ocean of time, seized by the crocodiles of death, disease, and old age — no one at all understands it."

Verse 36 (garuda.2.49.36)

प्रतिक्षणभयं कालः क्षीयमाणो न लक्ष्यते । आमकुंभ इवांभः स्थो विशीर्णो न विभाव्यते

pratikṣaṇabhayaṁ kālaḥ kṣīyamāṇo na lakṣyate āmakuṁbha ivāṁbhaḥ stho viśīrṇo na vibhāvyate

"Time is fearsome at every instant, yet its passing is not perceived; like water held in an unfired pot, its seeping away goes unnoticed."

Verse 37 (garuda.2.49.37)

युज्यते वेष्टनं वायोराकाशस्य च खण्डनम् । ग्रथनञ्च तरङ्गाणामास्था नायुषि युज्यते

yujyate veṣṭanaṁ vāyorākāśasya ca khaṇḍanam grathanañca taraṅgāṇāmāsthā nāyuṣi yujyate

"One might as well try to bind the wind, cut apart the sky, or weave together waves, as place trust in one's own lifespan."

Verse 38 (garuda.2.49.38)

पृथिवी दह्यते येन मेरुश्चापि विशीर्यते । शुष्यते सागरजलं शरीरस्य च का कथा

pṛthivī dahyate yena meruścāpi viśīryate śuṣyate sāgarajalaṁ śarīrasya ca kā kathā

"That by which the earth itself is burned, Mount Meru is dissolved, and the ocean's water dries up — what then is the body, before that?"

Verse 39 (garuda.2.49.39)

अपत्यं मे कलत्रं मे धनं मे बान्धवाश्च मे । जल्पन्तमिति मर्त्याजं हन्ति कालवृको बलात्

apatyaṁ me kalatraṁ me dhanaṁ me bāndhavāśca me jalpantamiti martyājaṁ hanti kālavṛko balāt

"Even as a mortal prattles, 'my child, my wife, my wealth, my kinsmen', the wolf of time seizes and kills him by force."

Verse 40 (garuda.2.49.40)

इदं कृतमिदं कार्यमिदमन्यत्कृताकृतम् । एवमीहासमायुक्तं कृतान्तः कुरुते वशम्

idaṁ kṛtamidaṁ kāryamidamanyatkṛtākṛtam evamīhāsamāyuktaṁ kṛtāntaḥ kurute vaśam

"'This is done, this remains to be done, this other thing is finished or unfinished' — thus engaged in endeavor, he is brought under Yama's power."

Verse 41 (garuda.2.49.41)

श्वः कार्यमद्य कुर्वीत पूर्वाह्ने चापराह्निकम् । न हि मृत्युः प्रतीक्षेत कृतं वाप्यथ वाकृतम्

śvaḥ kāryamadya kurvīta pūrvāhne cāparāhnikam na hi mṛtyuḥ pratīkṣeta kṛtaṁ vāpyatha vākṛtam

"Tomorrow's work should be done today, and the afternoon's work in the morning; death does not wait to see whether a task is finished or not."

Verse 42 (garuda.2.49.42)

जरादर्शितपन्थानं प्रचण्डव्याधिसैनिकम् । अधिष्ठितो मृत्युशत्रुं त्रातारं किं न पश्यति

jarādarśitapanthānaṁ pracaṇḍavyādhisainikam adhiṣṭhito mṛtyuśatruṁ trātāraṁ kiṁ na paśyati

"Standing upon the road shown by old age, ringed by the fierce soldiers of disease, does he not see the enemy Death approaching? Where then will a protector be found?"

Verse 43 (garuda.2.49.43)

तृष्णासूचीविनिर्भिन्नं सिक्तं विषयसर्पिषा । रागद्वेषानले पक्वं मृत्युरश्राति मानवम्

tṛṣṇāsūcīvinirbhinnaṁ siktaṁ viṣayasarpiṣā rāgadveṣānale pakvaṁ mṛtyuraśrāti mānavam

"Pierced by the needle of craving, basted with the ghee of sense-pleasures, cooked in the fire of attachment and aversion — death devours a man."

Verse 44 (garuda.2.49.44)

बालांश्च यौवनस्थांश्च वृद्धान गर्भगतानपि । सर्वानाविशते मृत्युरेवम्भूमिदं जगत्

bālāṁśca yauvanasthāṁśca vṛddhāna garbhagatānapi sarvānāviśate mṛtyurevambhūmidaṁ jagat

"Death enters children, the young, the old, and even those still in the womb; thus does this world devour everything."

Verse 45 (garuda.2.49.45)

स्वदेहमपि जीवोऽयं मुक्त्वा याति यमालयम् । स्त्रीमातृपितृपुत्त्रादिसम्बन्धः केन हेतुना

svadehamapi jīvo'yaṁ muktvā yāti yamālayam strīmātṛpitṛputtrādisambandhaḥ kena hetunā

"This soul, abandoning even its own body, goes to Yama's abode — for what reason then does the bond with wife, mother, father, son, and the rest persist?"

Verse 46 (garuda.2.49.46)

दुः खमूलं हि संसारः स यस्यास्ति स दुः खितः । तस्य त्यागः कृतो येन स सुखी नापरः क्वचित्

duḥ khamūlaṁ hi saṁsāraḥ sa yasyāsti sa duḥ khitaḥ tasya tyāgaḥ kṛto yena sa sukhī nāparaḥ kvacit

"Samsara itself is the root of sorrow; whoever holds it is sorrowful. Only whoever has renounced it is happy — no one else, anywhere."

Verse 47 (garuda.2.49.47)

प्रभवं सर्वदुः खानामालयं सकलापदाम् । आश्रयं सर्वपापानां संसारं वर्जयेत्क्षणात्

prabhavaṁ sarvaduḥ khānāmālayaṁ sakalāpadām āśrayaṁ sarvapāpānāṁ saṁsāraṁ varjayetkṣaṇāt

"The source of every sorrow, the abode of every calamity, the shelter of every sin — samsara should be abandoned this very instant."

Verse 48 (garuda.2.49.48)

लोहदारुमयैः पाशैः पुमान्बद्धो विमुच्यते । पुत्त्रदारमयैः पाशैर्मुच्यते न कदाचन

lohadārumayaiḥ pāśaiḥ pumānbaddho vimucyate puttradāramayaiḥ pāśairmucyate na kadācana

"A man bound with fetters of iron or wood is released; but bound with fetters made of son and wife, he is never released."

Verse 49 (garuda.2.49.49)

यावतः कुरुते जन्तुः सम्बन्धान्मनसः प्रियान् । तावन्तोऽस्य निखन्यन्ते हृदये शोकशङ्कवः

yāvataḥ kurute jantuḥ sambandhānmanasaḥ priyān tāvanto'sya nikhanyante hṛdaye śokaśaṅkavaḥ

"However many attachments dear to the mind a being forms, that many spikes of grief are driven into his heart."

Verse 50 (garuda.2.49.50)

वञ्चिताशेषवित्तैस्तैर्नित्यं लोको विनाशितः । हा हन्त विषयाहारैर्देहस्थोन्द्रियतस्करैः

vañcitāśeṣavittaistairnityaṁ loko vināśitaḥ hā hanta viṣayāhārairdehasthondriyataskaraiḥ

"Robbed of all their wealth by the thieving senses lodged in the body, through the pursuit of sense-pleasures — alas, people are constantly being ruined!"

Verse 51 (garuda.2.49.51)

मांसलुब्धो यथा मत्स्यो लोहशङ्कुं न पश्यति । सुखलुब्धस्तथा देही यमवाधां न पश्यति

māṁsalubdho yathā matsyo lohaśaṅkuṁ na paśyati sukhalubdhastathā dehī yamavādhāṁ na paśyati

"As a fish greedy for flesh does not see the iron hook, so the embodied soul greedy for pleasure does not see the affliction of Yama."

Verse 52 (garuda.2.49.52)

हिताहितं न जानन्तो नित्यमुन्मार्गगामिनः । कुक्षिपूरणनिष्ठा ये ते नरा नारकाः खग

hitāhitaṁ na jānanto nityamunmārgagāminaḥ kukṣipūraṇaniṣṭhā ye te narā nārakāḥ khaga

"Men who do not know what is beneficial or harmful, who ever walk a wrong path, intent only on filling their bellies — O bird, they are truly of hell."

Verse 53 (garuda.2.49.53)

निद्राभीमैथुनाहाराः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां समाः । ज्ञानवान्मानवः प्रोक्तो ज्ञानहीनः पशुः स्मृतः

nidrābhīmaithunāhārāḥ sarveṣāṁ prāṇināṁ samāḥ jñānavānmānavaḥ prokto jñānahīnaḥ paśuḥ smṛtaḥ

"Sleep, fear, mating, and eating are the same for every creature; the one who possesses knowledge is called human, the one without it is remembered as a beast."

Verse 54 (garuda.2.49.54)

प्रभाते मलमूत्त्राभ्यां क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां मध्यगे रवौ । रात्रौ मदननिद्राभ्यां बाध्यन्ते मूढमानवाः

prabhāte malamūttrābhyāṁ kṣuttṛḍbhyāṁ madhyage ravau rātrau madananidrābhyāṁ bādhyante mūḍhamānavāḥ

"In the morning deluded men are troubled by the calls of nature; at midday, by hunger and thirst; at night, by lust and sleep."

Verse 55 (garuda.2.49.55)

स्वदेहधनदारादिनिरताः सर्वजन्तवः । जायन्ते च म्रियन्ते च हा हन्ताज्ञानमोहिताः

svadehadhanadārādiniratāḥ sarvajantavaḥ jāyante ca mriyante ca hā hantājñānamohitāḥ

"All creatures, absorbed in their own bodies, wealth, and wives, are born and die — alas, deluded by ignorance!"

Verse 56 (garuda.2.49.56)

तस्मात्सङ्गः सदा त्याज्यः सचेत्त्यक्तुं न शक्यते । महद्भिः सह कर्तव्यः सन्तः सङ्गस्य भेषजम्

tasmātsaṅgaḥ sadā tyājyaḥ sacettyaktuṁ na śakyate mahadbhiḥ saha kartavyaḥ santaḥ saṅgasya bheṣajam

"Therefore attachment should always be renounced; if it cannot be renounced, it should be formed only with the great; the company of the good is the very remedy for attachment."

Verse 57 (garuda.2.49.57)

सत्सङ्गश्च विवेकश्च निर्मलं नयनद्वयम् । यस्य नास्ति नरः सोऽन्धः कथं न स्यादमार्गगः

satsaṅgaśca vivekaśca nirmalaṁ nayanadvayam yasya nāsti naraḥ so'ndhaḥ kathaṁ na syādamārgagaḥ

"The company of the good and discernment are the two unclouded eyes; the man who lacks them is blind — how could he not stray from the path?"

Verse 58 (garuda.2.49.58)

स्वस्ववर्णाश्रमाचारनिरताः सर्वमानवाः । न जानन्ति परं धर्मं वृथा नश्यन्ति दाम्भिकाः

svasvavarṇāśramācāraniratāḥ sarvamānavāḥ na jānanti paraṁ dharmaṁ vṛthā naśyanti dāmbhikāḥ

"All men, absorbed in the practices proper to their varna and life-stage, do not know the highest dharma; hypocrites perish in vain."

Verse 59 (garuda.2.49.59)

किमायासपराः केचिद्व्रतचर्यादिसंयुताः । अज्ञानसंवृतात्मानः सञ्चरन्ति प्रचारकाः

kimāyāsaparāḥ kecidvratacaryādisaṁyutāḥ ajñānasaṁvṛtātmānaḥ sañcaranti pracārakāḥ

"Some, taken up with vows and observances, exert themselves greatly; but, enveloped in ignorance, they merely wander about as preachers."

Verse 60 (garuda.2.49.60)

नाममात्रेण सन्तुष्टाः कर्मकाण्डरता नराः । मन्त्रोच्चारणहोमाद्यैर्भ्रामिताः क्रतुविस्तरैः

nāmamātreṇa santuṣṭāḥ karmakāṇḍaratā narāḥ mantroccāraṇahomādyairbhrāmitāḥ kratuvistaraiḥ

"Content with mere names, men devoted to ritual are bewildered by the recitation of mantras, fire-offerings, and the elaborate apparatus of sacrifice."

Verse 61 (garuda.2.49.61)

एकभुक्तोपवासाद्यैर्नियमैः कायशोषणैः । मूढाः परोक्षमिच्छन्ति मम मायाविमोहिताः

ekabhuktopavāsādyairniyamaiḥ kāyaśoṣaṇaiḥ mūḍhāḥ parokṣamicchanti mama māyāvimohitāḥ

"Through eating once a day, fasting, and other such vows, drying out the body, deluded people seek the truth beyond perception, bewildered by my own maya."

Verse 62 (garuda.2.49.62)

देहदण्डनमात्रेण का मुक्तिरविवेकिनाम् । वल्मीकताडनादेव मृतः किन्नु महोरगः

dehadaṇḍanamātreṇa kā muktiravivekinām valmīkatāḍanādeva mṛtaḥ kinnu mahoragaḥ

"Can mere mortification of the body grant liberation to those without discernment? Does a great serpent die merely from the beating of its anthill?"

Verse 63 (garuda.2.49.63)

जटाभाराजिनैर्युक्ता दाम्भिका वेषधारिणः । भ्रमन्ति ज्ञानिवल्लोके भ्रामयन्ति जनानपि

jaṭābhārājinairyuktā dāmbhikā veṣadhāriṇaḥ bhramanti jñānivalloke bhrāmayanti janānapi

"Hypocrites, bearing matted locks and deerskins, disguised, wander the world like men of true knowledge, and lead others astray as well."

Verse 64 (garuda.2.49.64)

संसारजसुखासक्तं ब्रह्मज्ञोऽस्मीतिवादिनम् । कर्मब्रह्मोभयभ्रष्टं तं त्यजेदन्त्यजं यथा

saṁsārajasukhāsaktaṁ brahmajño'smītivādinam karmabrahmobhayabhraṣṭaṁ taṁ tyajedantyajaṁ yathā

"One who, still attached to worldly pleasure, claims 'I am a knower of Brahman', has fallen from both right action and Brahman alike — he should be shunned like an outcaste."

Verse 65 (garuda.2.49.65)

गृहारण्यसमा लोके गतव्रीडा दिगम्बराः । चरन्ति गर्दभाद्याश्च विरक्तास्ते भवन्ति किम्

gṛhāraṇyasamā loke gatavrīḍā digambarāḥ caranti gardabhādyāśca viraktāste bhavanti kim

"Those who wander naked and shameless, treating home and forest alike — do they become dispassionate merely by roaming about like donkeys?"

Verse 66 (garuda.2.49.66)

मृद्भस्मोद्धूलनादेव मुक्ताः स्युर्यदि मानवाः । मृद्भस्मवासी नित्यं श्वा स किं मुक्तो भविष्यति

mṛdbhasmoddhūlanādeva muktāḥ syuryadi mānavāḥ mṛdbhasmavāsī nityaṁ śvā sa kiṁ mukto bhaviṣyati

"If men were liberated merely by smearing themselves with clay and ash, would not a dog, which always lives in clay and ash, become liberated too?"

Verse 67 (garuda.2.49.67)

तृणपर्णोदकाहाराः सततं वनवासिनः । जम्बूकाखुमृगाद्याश्च तापसास्ते भवन्ति किम्

tṛṇaparṇodakāhārāḥ satataṁ vanavāsinaḥ jambūkākhumṛgādyāśca tāpasāste bhavanti kim

"Forest-dwellers who live always on grass, leaves, and water — do jackals, rats, and deer thereby become ascetics?"

Verse 68 (garuda.2.49.68)

आजन्ममरणान्तञ्च गङ्गादितटिनीस्थिताः । मण्डूकमत्स्यप्रमुखा योगिनस्ते भवन्ति किम्

ājanmamaraṇāntañca gaṅgāditaṭinīsthitāḥ maṇḍūkamatsyapramukhā yoginaste bhavanti kim

"Frogs, fish, and the like, dwelling from birth to death in the Ganga and other rivers — do they thereby become yogis?"

Verse 69 (garuda.2.49.69)

पारावताः शिलाहाराः कदाचिदपि चातकाः । न पिबन्ति महीतोयं व्रतिनस्ते भवन्ति किम्

pārāvatāḥ śilāhārāḥ kadācidapi cātakāḥ na pibanti mahītoyaṁ vratinaste bhavanti kim

"Pigeons that peck at stones, and chatakas that never drink the water of the earth — do they thereby become keepers of vows?"

Verse 70 (garuda.2.49.70)

तस्मान्नित्यादिकं कर्म लोकरञ्जनकारकम् । मोक्षस्य कारणं साक्षातत्त्वज्ञान खगेश्वर

tasmānnityādikaṁ karma lokarañjanakārakam mokṣasya kāraṇaṁ sākṣātattvajñāna khageśvara

"Therefore, O lord of birds, the daily rites and the rest, which merely please the world, are not the direct cause of liberation — the knowledge of truth alone is."

Verse 71 (garuda.2.49.71)

षर्ड्शनमहाकूपे पतिताः पशवः खग । परमार्थं न जानन्ति पशुपाशनियन्त्रिताः

ṣarḍśanamahākūpe patitāḥ paśavaḥ khaga paramārthaṁ na jānanti paśupāśaniyantritāḥ

"O bird, beasts fallen into the great pit of the six philosophical systems, bound by the tether of dogma, do not know the highest truth."

Verse 72 (garuda.2.49.72)

वेदशास्त्रार्णवैर्घेरैरुह्यमाना इतस्ततः । षडूर्मिनिग्रहग्रस्तास्तिष्ठन्ति हि कुतार्किकाः

vedaśāstrārṇavairgherairuhyamānā itastataḥ ṣaḍūrminigrahagrastāstiṣṭhanti hi kutārkikāḥ

"Carried this way and that in the terrible oceans of the Vedas and scriptures, seized in the grip of the six waves, sophists remain caught there."

Verse 73 (garuda.2.49.73)

वेदागमपुराणज्ञः परमार्थं न वेत्ति यः । विडम्बकस्य तस्यैव तत्सर्वं काकभाषितम्

vedāgamapurāṇajñaḥ paramārthaṁ na vetti yaḥ viḍambakasya tasyaiva tatsarvaṁ kākabhāṣitam

"Whoever knows the Veda, the Agamas, and the Puranas yet does not know the highest truth — for him, all of it is nothing but empty display and the cawing of a crow."

Verse 74 (garuda.2.49.74)

इदं ज्ञानमिदं ज्ञेयमिति चिन्तासमाकुलाः । पठन्त्यहर्निशं शास्त्रं परतत्त्वपराङ्मुखाः

idaṁ jñānamidaṁ jñeyamiti cintāsamākulāḥ paṭhantyaharniśaṁ śāstraṁ paratattvaparāṅmukhāḥ

"'This is knowledge, this is to be known' — troubled by such thoughts, they recite scripture day and night, yet remain turned away from the supreme truth."

Verse 75 (garuda.2.49.75)

वाक्यच्छन्दोनिबन्धेन काव्यालङ्कारशोभिताः । चिन्तया दुःखिता मूढास्तिष्ठन्ति व्याकुलेन्द्रियाः

vākyacchandonibandhena kāvyālaṅkāraśobhitāḥ cintayā duḥkhitā mūḍhāstiṣṭhanti vyākulendriyāḥ

"Adorned though they are with fine sentences, meter, and poetic ornament, these fools, distressed by anxiety, remain with their senses unsettled."

Verse 76 (garuda.2.49.76)

अन्यथा परमं तत्त्वं जनाः क्लिश्यन्ति चान्यथा । अन्यथा शास्त्रसद्भावो व्याख्यां कुर्वन्ति चान्यथा

anyathā paramaṁ tattvaṁ janāḥ kliśyanti cānyathā anyathā śāstrasadbhāvo vyākhyāṁ kurvanti cānyathā

"People take the highest truth to be something other than it is, and so suffer; the true sense of scripture is one thing, and their commentaries make it another."

Verse 77 (garuda.2.49.77)

कथयन्त्युवन्मनीभावं स्वयं नानुभवन्ति च । अहङ्कारस्ताः केचिदुपदेशादिवार्जिताः

kathayantyuvanmanībhāvaṁ svayaṁ nānubhavanti ca ahaṅkārastāḥ kecidupadeśādivārjitāḥ

"They speak of the sage's state, yet do not themselves experience it; some, through sheer pride, are as though bereft even of instruction."

Verse 78 (garuda.2.49.78)

पठन्ति वेदशास्त्राणि बोधयन्ति परस्परम् । न जानन्ति परं तत्त्वं दर्वी पाकरसं यथा

paṭhanti vedaśāstrāṇi bodhayanti parasparam na jānanti paraṁ tattvaṁ darvī pākarasaṁ yathā

"They read the Vedas and scriptures, and teach one another, yet do not know the highest truth — like a ladle that never tastes the dish it stirs."

Verse 79 (garuda.2.49.79)

शिरो वहति पुष्पाणि गन्धं जानाति नासिका । पठन्ति वेदशास्त्राणि दुर्लभो भावबोधकः

śiro vahati puṣpāṇi gandhaṁ jānāti nāsikā paṭhanti vedaśāstrāṇi durlabho bhāvabodhakaḥ

"The head carries flowers, but it is the nose that knows their fragrance; likewise, they recite the Vedas and scriptures, but one who truly grasps their meaning is rare."

Verse 80 (garuda.2.49.80)

तत्त्वमात्मस्थमज्ञात्वा मूढः शास्त्रेषु मुह्यति । गोपः कक्षागते च्छागे कूपं पश्यति दुर्मतिः

tattvamātmasthamajñātvā mūḍhaḥ śāstreṣu muhyati gopaḥ kakṣāgate cchāge kūpaṁ paśyati durmatiḥ

"Not knowing the truth that abides within himself, the fool remains lost in the scriptures alone — like a foolish cowherd searching a well for the goat already sitting in his lap."

Verse 81 (garuda.2.49.81)

संसारमोहनाशाय शाब्दबोधो न हि क्षमः । न निवर्तेत तिमिरं कदाचिद्दीपवार्तया

saṁsāramohanāśāya śābdabodho na hi kṣamaḥ na nivarteta timiraṁ kadāciddīpavārtayā

"Mere verbal understanding is not enough to destroy the delusion of samsara; darkness is never dispelled merely by talk of a lamp."

Verse 82 (garuda.2.49.82)

प्रज्ञाहीनस्य पठनं यथान्धस्य च दर्पणम् । अतः प्रज्ञावतां शास्त्रं तत्त्वज्ञानस्य लक्षणम्

prajñāhīnasya paṭhanaṁ yathāndhasya ca darpaṇam ataḥ prajñāvatāṁ śāstraṁ tattvajñānasya lakṣaṇam

"For the unwise, reading is like offering a mirror to the blind; therefore scripture is the mark of true knowledge only for the wise."

Verse 83 (garuda.2.49.83)

इदं ज्ञानमिदं ज्ञेयं सर्वन्तु श्रोतुमिच्छति । दिव्यवर्षसहस्राच्च शास्त्रान्तं नैव गच्छति

idaṁ jñānamidaṁ jñeyaṁ sarvantu śrotumicchati divyavarṣasahasrācca śāstrāntaṁ naiva gacchati

"Wishing to hear everything of 'this is knowledge, this is to be known', one would not reach the end of the scriptures even across a thousand divine years."

Verse 84 (garuda.2.49.84)

अनेकानि च शास्त्राणि स्वल्पायुर्विघ्नकोटयः । तस्मात्सारं विजानीयात्क्षीरं हंस इवाम्भसि

anekāni ca śāstrāṇi svalpāyurvighnakoṭayaḥ tasmātsāraṁ vijānīyātkṣīraṁ haṁsa ivāmbhasi

"The scriptures are many, life is short, and obstacles are countless; therefore, like the swan drawing milk out of water, one should recognize the essence alone."

Verse 85 (garuda.2.49.85)

अभ्यस्य वेदशास्त्राणि तत्त्वं ज्ञात्वाथ बुद्भिमान् । पलालमिव धान्यार्थी सर्वशास्त्राणि सन्त्यजेत्

abhyasya vedaśāstrāṇi tattvaṁ jñātvātha budbhimān palālamiva dhānyārthī sarvaśāstrāṇi santyajet

"Having studied the Vedas and scriptures and having known the truth, the wise man should discard all the scriptures, as one seeking grain discards the straw."

Verse 86 (garuda.2.49.86)

यथामृतेन तृप्तस्य नाहारेण प्रयोजनम् । तत्त्वज्ञस्य तथा तार्क्ष्य न शास्त्रेण प्रयोजनम्

yathāmṛtena tṛptasya nāhāreṇa prayojanam tattvajñasya tathā tārkṣya na śāstreṇa prayojanam

"Just as one satisfied by nectar has no need of ordinary food, so too, O Tarkshya, the knower of truth has no further need of scripture."

Verse 87 (garuda.2.49.87)

न वेदाध्ययनान्मुक्तिर्न शास्त्रपठनादपि । ज्ञानादेव हि कैवल्यं नान्यथा विनतात्मजः

na vedādhyayanānmuktirna śāstrapaṭhanādapi jñānādeva hi kaivalyaṁ nānyathā vinatātmajaḥ

"Liberation comes not from studying the Veda, nor from reading scripture; O son of Vinata, final liberation comes from knowledge alone, not otherwise."

Verse 88 (garuda.2.49.88)

नाश्रमः कारणं मुक्तेर्दर्शनानि न कारणम् । तथैव सर्वकर्माणि ज्ञानमेव हि कारणम्

nāśramaḥ kāraṇaṁ mukterdarśanāni na kāraṇam tathaiva sarvakarmāṇi jñānameva hi kāraṇam

"Neither one's life-stage is the cause of liberation, nor is philosophy its cause; nor are any rites its cause — knowledge alone is the cause."

Verse 89 (garuda.2.49.89)

मुक्तिदा गुरुवागेका विद्याः सर्वा विडम्बिकाः । शास्त्रभारसहस्रेषु ह्येकं सञ्जीवनं परम्

muktidā guruvāgekā vidyāḥ sarvā viḍambikāḥ śāstrabhārasahasreṣu hyekaṁ sañjīvanaṁ param

"A single word from the guru grants liberation; every other learning is mere pretense; among a thousand burdens of scripture, only one is the true elixir of life."

Verse 90 (garuda.2.49.90)

अद्वैतं हि शिवं प्रोक्तं क्रिययापरिवर्जितम् । गुरुवक्त्रेण लभ्येत नाधीतागमकोटिभिः

advaitaṁ hi śivaṁ proktaṁ kriyayāparivarjitam guruvaktreṇa labhyeta nādhītāgamakoṭibhiḥ

"Non-duality alone is declared auspicious, being free of all ritual action; it is attained through the mouth of the guru, not through the study of crores of scriptural texts."

Verse 91 (garuda.2.49.91)

आगमोक्तं विवेकोत्थं द्विधा ज्ञानं प्रचक्षते । शब्दव्रह्मागममयं परं ब्रह्म विवेकजम्

āgamoktaṁ vivekotthaṁ dvidhā jñānaṁ pracakṣate śabdavrahmāgamamayaṁ paraṁ brahma vivekajam

"Knowledge is declared to be twofold — that born of scripture, and that born of discernment; the word-Brahman consists of scripture, while the supreme Brahman is born of discernment."

Verse 92 (garuda.2.49.92)

अद्वैतं केचिदिच्छन्ति द्वैतमिच्छन्ति चापरे । समं तत्त्वं न जानन्ति द्वैताद्द्वैतविवर्जितम्

advaitaṁ kecidicchanti dvaitamicchanti cāpare samaṁ tattvaṁ na jānanti dvaitāddvaitavivarjitam

"Some desire non-duality, others desire duality; they do not know the impartial truth that is free of both duality and non-duality."

Verse 93 (garuda.2.49.93)

द्वे पदे बन्धमोक्षाय नममेति ममेति च । ममेति बध्यते जन्तुर्नममेति प्रमुच्यते

dve pade bandhamokṣāya namameti mameti ca mameti badhyate janturnamameti pramucyate

"There are two words for bondage and liberation — 'mine' and 'not mine'. Saying 'mine', a being becomes bound; saying 'not mine', he is set free."

Verse 94 (garuda.2.49.94)

तत्कर्म यन्न बन्धाय सा विद्या या विमुक्तिदा । आयासायापरं कर्म विद्यान्या शिल्पनैपुणम्

tatkarma yanna bandhāya sā vidyā yā vimuktidā āyāsāyāparaṁ karma vidyānyā śilpanaipuṇam

"That deed which does not lead to bondage — that alone is knowledge, granting liberation; every other deed is mere exertion, every other learning mere skill in craft."

Verse 95 (garuda.2.49.95)

यावत्कर्माणि दीप्यन्ते यावत्संसारवासना । यावदिन्द्रियचापल्यं तावत्तत्त्वकथा कुतः

yāvatkarmāṇi dīpyante yāvatsaṁsāravāsanā yāvadindriyacāpalyaṁ tāvattattvakathā kutaḥ

"As long as one's deeds still blaze, as long as worldly craving remains, as long as the senses remain fickle, how is true discourse on reality possible?"

Verse 96 (garuda.2.49.96)

यावद्देहाभिमानश्च ममता यावदेव हि । यावत्प्रयत्नवेगोऽस्ति यावत्संकल्पकल्पना

yāvaddehābhimānaśca mamatā yāvadeva hi yāvatprayatnavego'sti yāvatsaṁkalpakalpanā

"As long as identification with the body remains, as long as possessiveness remains, as long as the momentum of effort remains, as long as the fashioning of resolves remains,"

Verse 97 (garuda.2.49.97)

यावन्नो मनसः स्थैर्यं न यावच्छास्त्रचिन्तनम् । यावन्न गुरुकारुण्यं तावत्तत्त्वकथा कुतः

yāvanno manasaḥ sthairyaṁ na yāvacchāstracintanam yāvanna gurukāruṇyaṁ tāvattattvakathā kutaḥ

"as long as the mind lacks steadiness, as long as there is no reflection on scripture, as long as there is no compassion of the guru — how is true discourse on reality possible?"

Verse 98 (garuda.2.49.98)

तावत्तपो व्रतं तीर्थं जपहोमार्चनादिकम् । वेदशास्त्रागमकथा यावत्तत्त्वं न विन्दति

tāvattapo vrataṁ tīrthaṁ japahomārcanādikam vedaśāstrāgamakathā yāvattattvaṁ na vindati

"Until the truth is attained, austerity, vows, pilgrimage, japa, fire-offering, worship, and discourses on the Veda, scripture, and Agama continue on."

Verse 99 (garuda.2.49.99)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सर्वावस्थासु सर्वदा । तत्त्वनिष्ठो भवेत्तार्क्ष्य यदीच्छेन्मोक्षमात्मनः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena sarvāvasthāsu sarvadā tattvaniṣṭho bhavettārkṣya yadīcchenmokṣamātmanaḥ

"Therefore, O Tarkshya, if you desire your own liberation, you should, with every effort, in every condition, always remain devoted to the truth."

Verse 100 (garuda.2.49.100)

धर्मज्ञानप्रसूनस्य स्वर्गमोक्षफलस्य च । तापत्रयादिसन्तप्तश्छायां मोक्षतरोः श्रयेत्

dharmajñānaprasūnasya svargamokṣaphalasya ca tāpatrayādisantaptaśchāyāṁ mokṣataroḥ śrayet

"One scorched by the three kinds of affliction should take refuge in the shade of the tree of liberation, which bears the flower of the knowledge of dharma and the fruit of heaven and liberation."

Verse 101 (garuda.2.49.101)

तस्माज्ज्ञानेनात्मतत्त्वं विज्ञेयं श्रीगुरोर्मुखात् । सुखेन मुच्यते जन्तुर्घोरसंसारबन्धनात्

tasmājjñānenātmatattvaṁ vijñeyaṁ śrīgurormukhāt sukhena mucyate janturghorasaṁsārabandhanāt

"Therefore, through knowledge, one should learn the truth of the self from the mouth of the venerable guru; by this a being is easily released from the terrible bondage of samsara."

Verse 102 (garuda.2.49.102)

तत्त्वज्ञस्यान्तिमं कृत्यं शृणु वक्ष्यामि तेऽधुना । येन मोक्षमवाप्नोति ब्रह्म निर्वाणसंज्ञकम्

tattvajñasyāntimaṁ kṛtyaṁ śṛṇu vakṣyāmi te'dhunā yena mokṣamavāpnoti brahma nirvāṇasaṁjñakam

"Hear now the final duty of the knower of truth, which I shall tell you, by which the liberation of Brahman called nirvana is attained."

Verse 103 (garuda.2.49.103)

अन्तकाले तु पुरुष आगते गतसाध्वसः । छिन्द्यादसंगशस्त्रेण स्पृहां देहेऽनु या च तम्

antakāle tu puruṣa āgate gatasādhvasaḥ chindyādasaṁgaśastreṇa spṛhāṁ dehe'nu yā ca tam

"When the final hour comes, the man, free of fear, should cut away, with the sword of non-attachment, whatever longing remains for the body."

Verse 104 (garuda.2.49.104)

गृहात्प्रव्राजितो धीरः पुण्यतीर्थजलाप्लुतः । शुचौ विविक्त आसीनो विधिवत्कल्पितासने

gṛhātpravrājito dhīraḥ puṇyatīrthajalāplutaḥ śucau vivikta āsīno vidhivatkalpitāsane

"Having gone forth from home, steadfast, bathed in the water of a holy pilgrimage-place, seated in a pure and solitary spot upon a seat duly prepared,"

Verse 105 (garuda.2.49.105)

अभ्यसेन्मनसा शुद्धं त्रिवृद्ब्रह्माक्षरं परम् । मनो यष्छेज्जितश्वासो ब्रह्म बीजमविस्मरन्

abhyasenmanasā śuddhaṁ trivṛdbrahmākṣaraṁ param mano yaṣchejjitaśvāso brahma bījamavismaran

"he should practice, with a purified mind, the threefold supreme syllable of Brahman; having mastered the breath, never forgetting the seed-syllable of Brahman, he should restrain the mind."

Verse 106 (garuda.2.49.106)

नियच्छेद्विषयेभ्योऽक्षान्मनसा बुद्धि सारथिः । मनः कर्मभिराक्षिप्तं शुभार्थे धारयेद्धिया

niyacchedviṣayebhyo'kṣānmanasā buddhi sārathiḥ manaḥ karmabhirākṣiptaṁ śubhārthe dhārayeddhiyā

"Making the intellect his charioteer, he should hold back the senses from their objects with the mind; the mind, dragged about by deeds, he should fix by reason upon what is good."

Verse 107 (garuda.2.49.107)

अहं ब्रह्म परं धाम ब्रह्माहं परमं पदम् । एवं समीक्ष्य चात्मानमात्मन्याधाय निष्कले

ahaṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma brahmāhaṁ paramaṁ padam evaṁ samīkṣya cātmānamātmanyādhāya niṣkale

"'I am Brahman, the supreme abode; I am Brahman, the highest state' — thus beholding the self, and fixing it within the undivided self,"

Verse 108 (garuda.2.49.108)

ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन् । यः प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम्

omityekākṣaraṁ brahma vyāharanmāmanusmaran yaḥ prayāti tyajandehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

"uttering the one-syllabled Brahman, Om, and remembering me, whoever departs, giving up the body in this way, attains the highest destiny."

Verse 109 (garuda.2.49.109)

न यत्र दाम्भिका यान्ति ज्ञानवैराग्यवर्जिताः । सुधियस्तां गतिं यान्ति तानहं कथयामि ते

na yatra dāmbhikā yānti jñānavairāgyavarjitāḥ sudhiyastāṁ gatiṁ yānti tānahaṁ kathayāmi te

"That destiny, to which hypocrites bereft of knowledge and dispassion never go, is attained by the truly wise — that I shall now tell you."

Verse 110 (garuda.2.49.110)

निर्मानमोहा जितसंगदोषा अध्यात्मनित्या विनिवृत्तकामाः । द्वन्द्वैर्विमुक्ताः सुखदुः खसंज्ञैर्गच्छन्त्यमूढाः पदमव्ययं तत्

nirmānamohā jitasaṁgadoṣā adhyātmanityā vinivṛttakāmāḥ dvandvairvimuktāḥ sukhaduḥ khasaṁjñairgacchantyamūḍhāḥ padamavyayaṁ tat

"Free of pride and delusion, having conquered the fault of attachment, ever absorbed in the spiritual, their desires withdrawn, freed from the pairs called pleasure and pain, the undeluded attain that imperishable state."

Verse 111 (garuda.2.49.111)

ज्ञानह्रदे सत्यजले रागद्वेषमलापहे । यः स्नाति मानसे तीर्थे स वै मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

jñānahrade satyajale rāgadveṣamalāpahe yaḥ snāti mānase tīrthe sa vai mokṣamavāpnuyāt

"Whoever bathes in the lake of knowledge, filled with the true water that carries away the taint of attachment and aversion, certainly attains liberation."

Verse 112 (garuda.2.49.112)

प्रौढवैराग्यमास्थाय भजते मामनन्यभाक् । पूर्णदृष्टिः प्रसन्नात्मा स वै मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

prauḍhavairāgyamāsthāya bhajate māmananyabhāk pūrṇadṛṣṭiḥ prasannātmā sa vai mokṣamavāpnuyāt

"Established in mature dispassion, worshipping me with undivided devotion, of perfect vision and a tranquil self — such a one certainly attains liberation."

Verse 113 (garuda.2.49.113)

त्यक्त्वा गृहं च यस्तीर्थे निवसेन्मरणोत्सुकः । मुक्तिक्षेत्रेषु म्रियते स वै मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

tyaktvā gṛhaṁ ca yastīrthe nivasenmaraṇotsukaḥ muktikṣetreṣu mriyate sa vai mokṣamavāpnuyāt

"Whoever, having abandoned home, dwells at a holy place eager for death, and dies in the fields of liberation, certainly attains liberation."

Verse 114 (garuda.2.49.114)

अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिक । पुरी द्वारवती ज्ञेयाः सप्तैता मोक्षदायिकाः

ayodhyā mathurā māyā kāśī kāñcī avantika purī dvāravatī jñeyāḥ saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ

"Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika, Puri, and Dvaravati should be known — these seven bestow liberation."

Verse 115 (garuda.2.49.115)

इति ते कथितं तार्क्ष्य मोक्षधर्मं सनातनम् । ज्ञानवैराग्यसहितं श्रुत्वा मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

iti te kathitaṁ tārkṣya mokṣadharmaṁ sanātanam jñānavairāgyasahitaṁ śrutvā mokṣamavāpnuyāt

"O Tarkshya, this eternal dharma of liberation has been told to you; having heard it together with knowledge and dispassion, one attains liberation."

Verse 116 (garuda.2.49.116)

मोक्षं गच्छन्ति तत्त्वज्ञा धार्मिकाः स्वर्गतिं नराः । पापिनो दुर्गतिं यान्ति संसरन्ति खगादयः

mokṣaṁ gacchanti tattvajñā dhārmikāḥ svargatiṁ narāḥ pāpino durgatiṁ yānti saṁsaranti khagādayaḥ

"Knowers of truth go to liberation, righteous men to the state of heaven; sinners go to an evil state, while birds and other creatures continue turning in the wheel of samsara."

Verse 117 (garuda.2.49.117)

सूत उवाच । स्वप्रश्रोत्तरराद्धान्तमेवं भगवतो मुखात् । श्रुत्वा हृष्टतनुस्तार्क्ष्यो ननाम जगदीश्वरम्

sūta uvāca svapraśrottararāddhāntamevaṁ bhagavato mukhāt śrutvā hṛṣṭatanustārkṣyo nanāma jagadīśvaram

Suta said: "Having heard thus, from the very mouth of the Lord, this final teaching in answer to his question, Tarkshya, his body thrilled with joy, bowed to the Lord of the universe."

Verse 118 (garuda.2.49.118)

सन्देहो मे महान्नष्टो भवद्वाक्यविरोचनात् । इत्युक्त्वा विष्णुमामन्त्र्य स गतः कश्यपाश्रमम्

sandeho me mahānnaṣṭo bhavadvākyavirocanāt ityuktvā viṣṇumāmantrya sa gataḥ kaśyapāśramam

"'By the brilliance of your words my great doubt has been destroyed' — having said this, and having taken leave of Vishnu, he went to Kashyapa's hermitage."

Verse 119 (garuda.2.49.119)

सद्यो देहान्तरं याति यथा याति विलम्बतः । अनयोरुभयोश्चैव न विरोधस्तथैव वः

sadyo dehāntaraṁ yāti yathā yāti vilambataḥ anayorubhayoścaiva na virodhastathaiva vaḥ

"Whether swiftly or after a delay, the passage into another body occurs either way; there is no contradiction between the two, and this holds for you as well."

Verse 120 (garuda.2.49.120)

सर्वमाख्यातवांस्तात श्रुतो भगवतो यथा । मारीचोऽपि मुदं लेभे श्रुत्वा वाक्यं रमापतेः

sarvamākhyātavāṁstāta śruto bhagavato yathā mārīco'pi mudaṁ lebhe śrutvā vākyaṁ ramāpateḥ

"'My child, I have told you everything just as I heard it from the Lord' — Maricha too found joy on hearing the words of the Lord of Rama [Vishnu]."

Verse 121 (garuda.2.49.121)

अपाकृतस्तु सन्देहो ब्राह्मणा भवतां मया । उक्तं सुपर्णसंज्ञन्तु पुराणं परमाद्भुतम्

apākṛtastu sandeho brāhmaṇā bhavatāṁ mayā uktaṁ suparṇasaṁjñantu purāṇaṁ paramādbhutam

"'O brahmins, your doubt has been dispelled by me' — thus was declared this most wondrous Purana, named after the Suparna, Garuda."

Verse 122 (garuda.2.49.122)

इदमाप हरेस्तार्क्ष्यस्तार्क्ष्यादाप ततो भृगुः । भृगोर्वसिष्ठः संप्राप वामदेवस्ततः पुनः

idamāpa harestārkṣyastārkṣyādāpa tato bhṛguḥ bhṛgorvasiṣṭhaḥ saṁprāpa vāmadevastataḥ punaḥ

"This, Tarkshya obtained from Hari; from Tarkshya, Bhrigu obtained it; from Bhrigu, Vasishtha; and then, again, Vamadeva;"

Verse 123 (garuda.2.49.123)

पराशरमुनिः प्राप तस्माद्व्यासस्ततो ह्यहम् । मया तु भवतां प्रोक्तं परं गुह्यं हरेरिदम्

parāśaramuniḥ prāpa tasmādvyāsastato hyaham mayā tu bhavatāṁ proktaṁ paraṁ guhyaṁ hareridam

"the sage Parashara obtained it, and from him, Vyasa; and then, from him, I, Suta. This supreme secret of Hari have I declared to you."

Verse 124 (garuda.2.49.124)

य इदं शृणुयान्मर्त्यो यो वाप्यभिदधाति च । इहामुत्र च लोके स सर्वत्र सुखमाप्नुयात्

ya idaṁ śṛṇuyānmartyo yo vāpyabhidadhāti ca ihāmutra ca loke sa sarvatra sukhamāpnuyāt

"Whatever mortal hears this, or recites it, attains happiness everywhere, in this world and the next."

Verse 125 (garuda.2.49.125)

व्रजतः संयमन्यां यद्दुः खमत्र निरूपितम् । अस्य श्रवणतः पुण्यं तन्मुक्तो जायते ततः

vrajataḥ saṁyamanyāṁ yadduḥ khamatra nirūpitam asya śravaṇataḥ puṇyaṁ tanmukto jāyate tataḥ

"The suffering described here, of one journeying to Yama's city of restraint — by the mere hearing of it, through that merit, a man is freed from it."

Verse 126 (garuda.2.49.126)

अत्रोक्तकर्मपाकादिश्रवणाच्च नृणामिह । वैराग्यमावहेद्यस्मात्तस्माच्छ्रोतव्यमेव च

atroktakarmapākādiśravaṇācca nṛṇāmiha vairāgyamāvahedyasmāttasmācchrotavyameva ca

"Because the hearing of the ripening of deeds and the rest described here brings about dispassion in men, it should indeed be heard."

Verse 127 (garuda.2.49.127)

भजत जितहृषीकाः कृष्णमेनं मुनीशं समजनि बत यस्माद्गीः सुधासारधारा । पृषतमपि यदीयं वर्णरूपं निपीय श्रुतिपुटचुलुकेन प्राप्नुयादात्मनैक्यम्

bhajata jitahṛṣīkāḥ kṛṣṇamenaṁ munīśaṁ samajani bata yasmādgīḥ sudhāsāradhārā pṛṣatamapi yadīyaṁ varṇarūpaṁ nipīya śrutipuṭaculukena prāpnuyādātmanaikyam

"With senses conquered, worship this Krishna, lord of sages, from whom this flowing stream of nectar-speech arose — even a single drop of whose glory, drunk with the cupped hands of the ears, brings one to union with the Self."

Verse 128 (garuda.2.49.128)

व्यास उवाच । इति सूतमुखोद्गीर्णांसर्वशास्त्रार्थमण्डिताम् । वैष्णवीं वाक्सुधां पीत्वा ऋषयस्तुष्टिमाययुः

vyāsa uvāca iti sūtamukhodgīrṇāṁsarvaśāstrārthamaṇḍitām vaiṣṇavīṁ vāksudhāṁ pītvā ṛṣayastuṣṭimāyayuḥ

Vyasa said: "Thus, having drunk this nectar of Vaishnava speech, poured forth from the mouth of Suta and adorned with the meaning of every scripture, the sages attained satisfaction."

Verse 129 (garuda.2.49.129)

प्रशशंसुस्तथान्योन्यं सूतं सर्वार्थदर्शिनम् । प्रहर्षमतुलं प्रापुर्मुनयः शौनकादयः

praśaśaṁsustathānyonyaṁ sūtaṁ sarvārthadarśinam praharṣamatulaṁ prāpurmunayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ

"They praised one another, and Suta too, the seer of all truths; the sages, Shaunaka and the rest, attained matchless joy."

Verse 130 (garuda.2.49.130)

इति हरिवचनानि सूतवाचा खगपतिसंशयभेदकानि यानि । स मुनिरपि निशम्य शौनकेन्द्रो बहुतरमानयति स्म चात्मनि स्वम्

iti harivacanāni sūtavācā khagapatisaṁśayabhedakāni yāni sa munirapi niśamya śaunakendro bahutaramānayati sma cātmani svam

"Hearing thus, through Suta's voice, these words of Hari that had dispelled the doubt of the king of birds, that sage Shaunaka, chief among sages, took much of it deeply into himself as well."

Verse 131 (garuda.2.49.131)

अपूजयंस्ते मुनयस्तदानीमुदाखाग्भिर्मुहुरेव सूतम् । धन्योऽसि सूत त्वमिहेत्युदैरयन्व्यसर्जयंस्तं च निवर्तितेऽध्वरे

apūjayaṁste munayastadānīmudākhāgbhirmuhureva sūtam dhanyo'si sūta tvamihetyudairayanvyasarjayaṁstaṁ ca nivartite'dhvare

"Those sages then honored Suta again and again with joyful exclamations; saying 'Blessed are you, Suta, here', they sent him off as the sacrificial session drew to a close."

Verse 132 (garuda.2.49.132)

पुराणं गारुडं पुण्यं पवित्रं पापनाशनम् ॥ शृण्वतां कामनापूरं श्रोतव्यं सर्वदैव हि

purāṇaṁ gāruḍaṁ puṇyaṁ pavitraṁ pāpanāśanam śṛṇvatāṁ kāmanāpūraṁ śrotavyaṁ sarvadaiva hi

"The Garuda Purana is meritorious, holy, the destroyer of sin; it fulfills the desires of its hearers — it should always be listened to."

Verse 133 (garuda.2.49.133)

श्रुत्वा दानानि देयानि वाचकायाखिलानि च । पूर्वोक्तशयनादीनि नान्यथा सफलं भवेत्

śrutvā dānāni deyāni vācakāyākhilāni ca pūrvoktaśayanādīni nānyathā saphalaṁ bhavet

"Having heard it, all the gifts described before — the bed and the rest — should be given to the reciter; otherwise it does not bear fruit."

Verse 134 (garuda.2.49.134)

पुराणं पूजयेत्पूर्वं वाचकं तदनन्तरम् । वस्त्रालङ्कारगोदानैर्दक्षिणाभिश्च सादरम्

purāṇaṁ pūjayetpūrvaṁ vācakaṁ tadanantaram vastrālaṅkāragodānairdakṣiṇābhiśca sādaram

"The Purana itself should first be honored, and the reciter thereafter, with garments, ornaments, the gift of a cow, and a fee, with due reverence."

Verse 135 (garuda.2.49.135)

अन्नदानैर्हेमदानैर्भमिदानैश्च भूरिभिः । पूजयेद्वाचकं भक्त्या बहुपुण्यफलाप्तये

annadānairhemadānairbhamidānaiśca bhūribhiḥ pūjayedvācakaṁ bhaktyā bahupuṇyaphalāptaye

"With gifts of food, gifts of gold, and abundant gifts of land, the reciter should be honored with devotion, for the attainment of great and meritorious fruit."

Verse 136 (garuda.2.49.136)

यश्चेदं शृणुयान्मर्त्यो यथापि परिकीर्तयेत् । विहाय यातनां घोरां धूतपापो दिवं व्रजेत्

yaścedaṁ śṛṇuyānmartyo yathāpi parikīrtayet vihāya yātanāṁ ghorāṁ dhūtapāpo divaṁ vrajet

"Whatever mortal hears this, or likewise recites it, leaves behind terrible torment and, his sins shaken off, goes to heaven."