The Structure of the Brahmanda and the Gradation of Liberation through the Viraja

Verse 1 (garuda.2.59.1)

गरुड उवाच । देवैरेवं स्तुतो विष्णुर्भगवान्सात्त्वतां पतिः । कीदृशं ह्याश्रयं दत्त्वैषां विवेश महाप्रभुः

garuḍa uvāca | devairevaṃ stuto viṣṇurbhagavānsāttvatāṃ patiḥ | kīdṛśaṃ hyāśrayaṃ dattvaiṣāṃ viveśa mahāprabhuḥ

Garuda said: "Bhagavan Vishnu, the lord of the Sattvatas, having thus been praised by the gods — with what manner of support did the great Lord endow them before entering into them?"

Verse 2 (garuda.2.59.2)

एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामि कृष्णकृष्ण महाप्रभो । सम्यग्ब्रूहि दयालो त्वं यदि मच्छ्रोत्रमर्हति

etadveditumicchāmi kṛṣṇakṛṣṇa mahāprabho | samyagbrūhi dayālo tvaṃ yadi macchrotramarhati

"I wish to know this, O Krishna, Krishna, great Lord! Tell me clearly, O compassionate one, if my ear is worthy to hear it."

Verse 3 (garuda.2.59.3)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । तेषु तत्त्वेषु भगवान्स विवेश महाप्रभुः । क्षोभयामास भगवान् संबन्धविधुरो हरिः

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | teṣu tattveṣu bhagavānsa viveśa mahāprabhuḥ | kṣobhayāmāsa bhagavān saṃbandhavidhuro hariḥ

Shri Krishna said: "Into those very tattvas the great Lord Bhagavan entered. Bhagavan Hari, though free of all relation, agitated them into activity."

Verse 4 (garuda.2.59.4)

अदौ ससर्ज भगवान् ब्रह्माण्डं कन कात्मकम् । पञ्चाशत्कोटिविस्तीर्णं योजनानां समन्ततः

adau sasarja bhagavān brahmāṇḍaṃ kana kātmakam | pañcāśatkoṭivistīrṇaṃ yojanānāṃ samantataḥ

"First the Lord created the golden Brahmanda (cosmic egg), extending fifty crore yojanas on every side."

Verse 5 (garuda.2.59.5)

तदूर्ध्वमण्ववयवस्तावान्कनकरूपकः । वर्तते तत ऊर्ध्वं तु पञ्चाशत्कोटिभूतलम्

tadūrdhvamaṇvavayavastāvānkanakarūpakaḥ | vartate tata ūrdhvaṃ tu pañcāśatkoṭibhūtalam

"Above that lies the shell of the egg, of the very same golden form and measure; and above that again extends a surface of fifty crore [yojanas]."

Verse 6 (garuda.2.59.6)

एवं कोटिशतं तस्यावयवः परिकीर्तितः । ततश्च सप्तावरणैः समतात्परिधीकृतम्

evaṃ koṭiśataṃ tasyāvayavaḥ parikīrtitaḥ | tataśca saptāvaraṇaiḥ samatātparidhīkṛtam

"Thus its total extent is proclaimed to be a hundred crore [yojanas]; and thereafter it is enclosed all around by seven coverings."

Verse 7 (garuda.2.59.7)

कबन्धावरणं ह्याद्यं कोट्या दशसहस्रकम् । द्वितीया वरणं ज्ञेयं पावकस्य महात्मनः

kabandhāvaraṇaṃ hyādyaṃ koṭyā daśasahasrakam | dvitīyā varaṇaṃ jñeyaṃ pāvakasya mahātmanaḥ

"The first covering, of water, extends ten thousand crore [yojanas]; the second covering should be known as that of great Fire (Pavaka)."

Verse 8 (garuda.2.59.8)

अपां दशगुणैर्युक्तं समन्तात्परिधी (खी) कृतम् । तृतीयावरणं ज्ञेयं हरस्यैव महात्मनः

apāṃ daśaguṇairyuktaṃ samantātparidhī (khī) kṛtam | tṛtīyāvaraṇaṃ jñeyaṃ harasyaiva mahātmanaḥ

"Ten times the measure of the water[-covering], and enclosing it all around — the third covering should be known as that of the great Hara."

Verse 9 (garuda.2.59.9)

दशाधिकं पावकाच्च समन्तात्परिवारितम् । चतुर्थावरणं ज्ञेयं नभसोपि महाप्रभो

daśādhikaṃ pāvakācca samantātparivāritam | caturthāvaraṇaṃ jñeyaṃ nabhasopi mahāprabho

"Ten times greater than that of Fire, surrounding it all around — the fourth covering, O great Lord, should likewise be known as that of the Sky (Akasha)."

Verse 10 (garuda.2.59.10)

हराद्दशगुणैरेवं समन्तात्परिवारितम् । पञ्चमावरणं ज्ञेयमहङ्काराख्यमेवच

harāddaśaguṇairevaṃ samantātparivāritam | pañcamāvaraṇaṃ jñeyamahaṅkārākhyamevaca

"Ten times greater than that of Hara, thus surrounding it all around — the fifth covering should be known indeed as that called Ahamkara (the Ego-principle)."

Verse 11 (garuda.2.59.11)

व्योम्नो दशगुणैरेवं समन्तात्परिवारि तम् । षष्ठमावरणं प्रोक्तं महत्तत्त्वं खगेश्वर

vyomno daśaguṇairevaṃ samantātparivāri tam | ṣaṣṭhamāvaraṇaṃ proktaṃ mahattattvaṃ khageśvara

"Ten times greater than that of the Sky, thus surrounding it all around — the sixth covering, O lord of birds, is declared to be the Mahat-tattva (the Great Principle)."

Verse 12 (garuda.2.59.12)

अहङ्काराद्दशगुणं समन्तात्परिवारितम् । सप्तमावरणं प्रोक्तं त्रिगुणावरणं प्रभो

ahaṅkārāddaśaguṇaṃ samantātparivāritam | saptamāvaraṇaṃ proktaṃ triguṇāvaraṇaṃ prabho

"Ten times greater than that of Ahamkara, surrounding it all around — the seventh covering, O Lord, is declared to be the covering of the three gunas."

Verse 13 (garuda.2.59.13)

महत्तत्त्वाद्दशगुणैरधिकं परिकीर्तितम् । महत्तत्त्वानन्तरं च तमो ह्यावरणं स्मृतम्

mahattattvāddaśaguṇairadhikaṃ parikīrtitam | mahattattvānantaraṃ ca tamo hyāvaraṇaṃ smṛtam

"This [seventh covering] is proclaimed to be ten times greater than the Mahat-tattva; and immediately following the Mahat-tattva, the covering of Tamas is spoken of [as its first layer]."

Verse 14 (garuda.2.59.14)

महत्तत्त्वात्पञ्चगुणैरधिकं परिकीर्तितम् । तस्माच्च द्विगुणं ज्ञेयंरजो ह्यावरणं स्मृतम्

mahattattvātpañcaguṇairadhikaṃ parikīrtitam | tasmācca dviguṇaṃ jñeyaṃrajo hyāvaraṇaṃ smṛtam

"This [covering of Tamas] is declared to be five times greater than the Mahat-tattva; and beyond that, twice as much again, is to be known the covering of Rajas."

Verse 15 (garuda.2.59.15)

ततश्च द्विगुणं ज्ञेयं सत्त्वावरणमुत्तमम् । त्रयश्चैवं मिलित्वा तु एकावरणमीरितम्

tataśca dviguṇaṃ jñeyaṃ sattvāvaraṇamuttamam | trayaścaivaṃ militvā tu ekāvaraṇamīritam

"And beyond that, twice as much again, is to be known the excellent covering of Sattva. Thus the three together are spoken of as a single covering."

Verse 16 (garuda.2.59.16)

अव्याकृताख्यमाकाशं तदनन्तरमीरितम् । मर्यादारहितश्चैवं तत्रास्ते हरिरव्ययः

avyākṛtākhyamākāśaṃ tadanantaramīritam | maryādārahitaścaivaṃ tatrāste hariravyayaḥ

"Immediately beyond that is spoken of the space called Avyakrita (the Unmanifest); and there, boundless, dwells the imperishable Hari."

Verse 17 (garuda.2.59.17)

अष्टमावरणं व्योम्नोरं तरा विरजा नदी । पञ्चयोजनविस्तीर्णा समन्तात्परीधीकृता

aṣṭamāvaraṇaṃ vyomnoraṃ tarā virajā nadī | pañcayojanavistīrṇā samantātparīdhīkṛtā

"As the eighth covering of that space, within it lies the river Viraja, extending five yojanas [in breadth], encircling it all around."

Verse 18 (garuda.2.59.18)

अस्ति पुण्यतमा ज्ञेया लोकसंसारनाशिनी । एवं चतुर्मुखेनैव तदा हृष्यं ति चाण्डज

asti puṇyatamā jñeyā lokasaṃsāranāśinī | evaṃ caturmukhenaiva tadā hṛṣyaṃ ti cāṇḍaja

"It is to be known as most sacred, the destroyer of worldly transmigration. Thus, O egg-born Garuda, those [who bathe there] rejoice, even as the four-faced Brahma himself has declared."

Verse 19 (garuda.2.59.19)

ते सर्वे विरजानद्यां सम्यक्स्नात्वा विसर्ज्य च । लिङ्गदेहं ततः पश्चान्मोक्षं विन्दन्ति ते हरेः

te sarve virajānadyāṃ samyaksnātvā visarjya ca | liṅgadehaṃ tataḥ paścānmokṣaṃ vindanti te hareḥ

"All of them, having bathed thoroughly in the river Viraja and having shed their subtle (linga) body, thereafter attain liberation, [that is, union] with Hari."

Verse 20 (garuda.2.59.20)

अपरोक्षदृशामेवं ब्रह्मणा सह गामिनाम् । विरजातरणं विद्धि नान्येषां विनतासुत

aparokṣadṛśāmevaṃ brahmaṇā saha gāminām | virajātaraṇaṃ viddhi nānyeṣāṃ vinatāsuta

"Know that this crossing of the Viraja applies only to those of direct realization who journey together with Brahma — not for others, O son of Vinata."

Verse 21 (garuda.2.59.21)

अपरोक्षदृशां ब्रह्मन्व्यासादीनां खगेश्वर । विरजातरणं नास्ति भोक्तव्यत्वाच्च कर्मणः

aparokṣadṛśāṃ brahmanvyāsādīnāṃ khageśvara | virajātaraṇaṃ nāsti bhoktavyatvācca karmaṇaḥ

"But for those of direct realization such as Vyasa, O knower of Brahman, O lord of birds, there is no crossing of the Viraja, because their remaining karma must still be experienced."

Verse 22 (garuda.2.59.22)

विरिञ्चेनैव साकं तु कल्पेस्मिन्नधिकारिणाम् । तेषां तु नियमेनैव सर्वप्रारब्धसंक्षयः

viriñcenaiva sākaṃ tu kalpesminnadhikāriṇām | teṣāṃ tu niyamenaiva sarvaprārabdhasaṃkṣayaḥ

"It is only for those souls who are qualified [for liberation] together with Brahma (Virinca) in this very kalpa that, by rule, the complete exhaustion of all prarabdha-karma takes place."

Verse 23 (garuda.2.59.23)

भवत्येवं न संदेहो नान्येषां सर्वसंक्षयः । अतस्तु विरजातरणं तेषामेव भवेत्पटो

bhavatyevaṃ na saṃdeho nānyeṣāṃ sarvasaṃkṣayaḥ | atastu virajātaraṇaṃ teṣāmeva bhavetpaṭo

"This indeed happens, without doubt; but for others, complete exhaustion [of karma] does not occur. Therefore the crossing of the Viraja is possible only for them."

Verse 24 (garuda.2.59.24)

विरजातरणं नास्ति तेषां त (तयोस्त)त्संगिनां तथा । सर्वारब्धक्षयो नास्ति यतस्तेषां खगाधिप

virajātaraṇaṃ nāsti teṣāṃ ta (tayosta)tsaṃgināṃ tathā | sarvārabdhakṣayo nāsti yatasteṣāṃ khagādhipa

"For those [like Vyasa] and their companions likewise, there is no crossing of the Viraja, since for them the exhaustion of all begun [prarabdha] karma does not take place, O lord of birds."

Verse 25 (garuda.2.59.25)

अतश्च सर्वथा नास्ति विरजातरणं प्रभो । प्रलये विरजानद्या लयो नास्ति खगेश्वर

ataśca sarvathā nāsti virajātaraṇaṃ prabho | pralaye virajānadyā layo nāsti khageśvara

"Therefore, in every respect, there is no crossing of the Viraja for them, O Lord. And at the cosmic dissolution too, O lord of birds, the river Viraja does not itself perish."

Verse 26 (garuda.2.59.26)

लक्ष्म्यात्मिका तु सा ज्ञेया लिङ्गदेहविदारिणी । ब्रह्मत्वयोग्या ऋजवो नाम देवाः प्रकीर्तिताः

lakṣmyātmikā tu sā jñeyā liṅgadehavidāriṇī | brahmatvayogyā ṛjavo nāma devāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

"That river is to be known as being of the very nature of Lakshmi, one that rends the subtle body. Those gods who are fit for Brahma-hood are proclaimed by the name of Rijus (the upright ones)."

Verse 27 (garuda.2.59.27)

तेपि प्रत्येकशः संति ह्यनन्ताश्च पृथग्गणाः । पृथक्पृथक्च तैः साकं मोक्षयोग्याः खगेश्वर

tepi pratyekaśaḥ saṃti hyanantāśca pṛthaggaṇāḥ | pṛthakpṛthakca taiḥ sākaṃ mokṣayogyāḥ khageśvara

"They too exist, each of them, as endless and distinct groups, O lord of birds; and along with each of them, separately, there are other souls fit for liberation."

Verse 28 (garuda.2.59.28)

जीवाः संति ह्यनेके च प्रतिकल्पे सृजन्ति ते । द्वात्रिंशल्लक्षणैः सम्यग्युक्ता वायुत्वयोग्यकाः

jīvāḥ saṃti hyaneke ca pratikalpe sṛjanti te | dvātriṃśallakṣaṇaiḥ samyagyuktā vāyutvayogyakāḥ

"There are indeed many such souls, and in every kalpa they are created afresh. Those endowed fully with the thirty-two auspicious marks are fit for attaining the state of Vayu."

Verse 29 (garuda.2.59.29)

अष्टाविंशल्लक्षणैश्च गिरीशपदयोगिनः । चतुर्विंशतिमारभ्याषोडशाच्च सुराः स्मृताः

aṣṭāviṃśallakṣaṇaiśca girīśapadayoginaḥ | caturviṃśatimārabhyāṣoḍaśācca surāḥ smṛtāḥ

"Those with twenty-eight marks are fit for the position of Girisha (Shiva). Those with marks numbering from twenty-four down to sixteen are known as ordinary gods."

Verse 30 (garuda.2.59.30)

अष्टका ऋषयः प्रोक्तास्तदूनाश्चक्रवर्तिनः । शतजन्म समारभ्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः

aṣṭakā ṛṣayaḥ proktāstadūnāścakravartinaḥ | śatajanma samārabhya brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

"Those with eight marks are declared to be sages; those with fewer than that are universal emperors. Beginning from a hundred births, one attains the position of Brahma, the Supreme."

Verse 31 (garuda.2.59.31)

अपरोक्षमिति प्रोक्तं तथा ह्यारब्धसंक्षयः । एकेन शतकल्पेन वायुत्वं याति भो द्विज

aparokṣamiti proktaṃ tathā hyārabdhasaṃkṣayaḥ | ekena śatakalpena vāyutvaṃ yāti bho dvija

"This is what is called 'direct realization,' along with the exhaustion of prarabdha-karma. In a single set of a hundred kalpas, O twice-born one, one attains the state of Vayu."

Verse 32 (garuda.2.59.32)

शतजन्मनि ब्रह्मत्वं याति पश्चाद्धरेः पदम् । चत्वारिंशद्ब्रह्मकल्पं समारभ्य खगेश्वर

śatajanmani brahmatvaṃ yāti paścāddhareḥ padam | catvāriṃśadbrahmakalpaṃ samārabhya khageśvara

"In a hundred births one attains Brahma-hood, and afterward the supreme abode of Hari. Beginning from the fortieth Brahma-kalpa, O lord of birds..."

Verse 33 (garuda.2.59.33)

रुद्रस्याप्यापरोक्ष्यं स्यात्तथा प्रारब्धसंक्षयः । एकचत्वारिंशकल्पे शेषत्वं याति सुव्रत

rudrasyāpyāparokṣyaṃ syāttathā prārabdhasaṃkṣayaḥ | ekacatvāriṃśakalpe śeṣatvaṃ yāti suvrata

"...direct realization comes about for Rudra too, along with the exhaustion of prarabdha-karma. In the forty-first kalpa, O virtuous one, he attains the state of Shesha."

Verse 34 (garuda.2.59.34)

ब्रह्मणा सह मोक्षं च याति सम्यङ्न चान्यथा । कल्पविंशतिमारभ्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः

brahmaṇā saha mokṣaṃ ca yāti samyaṅna cānyathā | kalpaviṃśatimārabhya brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

"And he attains liberation together with Brahma, properly, not otherwise. Beginning from the twentieth kalpa of Brahma, the Supreme..."

Verse 35 (garuda.2.59.35)

इन्द्रस्याप्यापरोक्ष्यं स्यात्तथा प्रारब्धसंक्षयः । ब्रह्मणैव सहायाति हरिं नारायणं परम्

indrasyāpyāparokṣyaṃ syāttathā prārabdhasaṃkṣayaḥ | brahmaṇaiva sahāyāti hariṃ nārāyaṇaṃ param

"...direct realization comes about for Indra too, along with the exhaustion of prarabdha-karma; together with Brahma alone he attains the supreme Hari Narayana."

Verse 36 (garuda.2.59.36)

गरुड उवाच । पञ्चाशीतिब्रह्मकल्पं समारभ्य महाप्रभो । रुद्रस्याप्यापरोक्ष्यं स्यात्तथा प्रारब्धसंक्षयः

garuḍa uvāca | pañcāśītibrahmakalpaṃ samārabhya mahāprabho | rudrasyāpyāparokṣyaṃ syāttathā prārabdhasaṃkṣayaḥ

Garuda said: "O great Lord, but beginning from the eighty-fifth Brahma-kalpa, direct realization is also said to come about for Rudra, along with the exhaustion of prarabdha-karma —"

Verse 37 (garuda.2.59.37)

इति श्रुतं मया ब्रह्मन्ब्रह्मणोक्तं हरेः प्रियात् । इत्थं त्वयोक्तं श्रीकृष्ण संशयोबाधते मम

iti śrutaṃ mayā brahmanbrahmaṇoktaṃ hareḥ priyāt | itthaṃ tvayoktaṃ śrīkṛṣṇa saṃśayobādhate mama

"This I have heard, O knower of Brahman, spoken by Brahma who is dear to Hari; but you, O Shri Krishna, have said it differently — a doubt troubles me."

Verse 38 (garuda.2.59.38)

अतो मे संशयं छिन्धि यथा न स्यात्तथा पुनः । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कृष्णो वचनमब्रवीत्

ato me saṃśayaṃ chindhi yathā na syāttathā punaḥ | iti tadvacanaṃ śrutvā kṛṣṇo vacanamabravīt

"Therefore remove this doubt of mine, so that it may never arise again." Having heard these words, Krishna spoke in reply:

Verse 39 (garuda.2.59.39)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । ब्रह्मोक्तस्य मयोक्तस्य विवादो नास्ति सर्वथा । संदेहस्त्वज्ञदृष्टीनां ज्ञानिनां नास्ति सर्वथा

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | brahmoktasya mayoktasya vivādo nāsti sarvathā | saṃdehastvajñadṛṣṭīnāṃ jñānināṃ nāsti sarvathā

Shri Krishna said: "Between what was spoken by Brahma and what was spoken by me, there is no contradiction whatsoever. Doubt belongs only to the vision of the ignorant; for the wise, it does not exist at all."

Verse 40 (garuda.2.59.40)

अशीतिह्यष्टका प्रोक्ता अष्टपञ्च खगेश्वर । चत्वारिंशद्ब्रह्मकल्प एवं प्राह चतुर्मुखः

aśītihyaṣṭakā proktā aṣṭapañca khageśvara | catvāriṃśadbrahmakalpa evaṃ prāha caturmukhaḥ

"'Eighty' has been spoken of as 'eight tens,' and also as 'eight times five' [that is, forty], O lord of birds — in this very way the four-faced Brahma spoke of the fortieth Brahma-kalpa."

Verse 41 (garuda.2.59.41)

तत्त्वानां बहुगोप्यत्वात्तथोक्तं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । अभिप्रायस्त्वेवमेव ज्ञातव्यो नात्र संशयः

tattvānāṃ bahugopyatvāttathoktaṃ brahmaṇā purā | abhiprāyastvevameva jñātavyo nātra saṃśayaḥ

"Because these truths are exceedingly secret, they were spoken thus, in coded fashion, by Brahma of old. But the true intention should be understood exactly as I have explained — there is no doubt in this matter."

Verse 42 (garuda.2.59.42)

पञ्चा शीतिब्रह्मकल्पं ये विजानन्ति भो द्विज । तेन्धं तमः प्रविशन्ति सत्यंसत्यं मयोदितम्

pañcā śītibrahmakalpaṃ ye vijānanti bho dvija | tendhaṃ tamaḥ praviśanti satyaṃsatyaṃ mayoditam

"Those, O twice-born one, who take the 'eighty-fifth Brahma-kalpa' merely at its literal word enter into blind darkness — this is the truth, the very truth, declared by me."

Verse 43 (garuda.2.59.43)

विरजानन्तरं विप्रं तथा व्याकृतमंबरम् । अनन्तपारं तदपि लक्ष्मीस्तस्याभिमानिनी

virajānantaraṃ vipraṃ tathā vyākṛtamaṃbaram | anantapāraṃ tadapi lakṣmīstasyābhimāninī

"Beyond the Viraja, O Brahmin, lies likewise the manifest sky (vyakrita ambara); that too is without end or limit, and Lakshmi is its presiding deity."

Verse 44 (garuda.2.59.44)

संख्यानुगणनं नाम यस्य नास्ति महाप्रभो । न दानं जातिप्रोक्तं सर्वदा नास्ति संशयः

saṃkhyānugaṇanaṃ nāma yasya nāsti mahāprabho | na dānaṃ jātiproktaṃ sarvadā nāsti saṃśayaḥ

"Its extent, O great Lord, cannot be reckoned by any count; no measure of it can ever be stated by category — of this, always, there is no doubt."

Verse 45 (garuda.2.59.45)

अण्डाभिमानी ब्रह्मा तु विराडाख्यो ह्यभूत्तदा । एवं मतं स निर्माय भगवान्हरिख्ययः

aṇḍābhimānī brahmā tu virāḍākhyo hyabhūttadā | evaṃ mataṃ sa nirmāya bhagavānharikhyayaḥ

"Brahma, the presiding deity of the cosmic egg, then became known by the name Virat. Having thus fashioned this design, Bhagavan, who is named Hari..."

Verse 46 (garuda.2.59.46)

विशेषात्तत्र गरुड देवैस्तत्त्वाभिमानिभिः । अधश्चोर्ध्वं तदाक्रम्य हरिस्तिष्ठति सर्वदा

viśeṣāttatra garuḍa devaistattvābhimānibhiḥ | adhaścordhvaṃ tadākramya haristiṣṭhati sarvadā

"...specially there, O Garuda, together with the gods who preside over the tattvas, pervading it below and above, Hari ever abides."

Verse 47 (garuda.2.59.47)

एवं प्राकृतसर्गोक्तिर्वैकृतं शृणु पक्षिराट्

evaṃ prākṛtasargoktirvaikṛtaṃ śṛṇu pakṣirāṭ

"Thus has the account of the Prakrita creation been told; now hear of the Vaikrita creation, O king of birds."

Verse 48 (garuda.2.59.48)

गरुड उवाच । सृष्टिरुक्ता त्वया पूर्वं श्रुता सम्यङ्मया हरे

garuḍa uvāca | sṛṣṭiruktā tvayā pūrvaṃ śrutā samyaṅmayā hare

Garuda said: "The creation has already been described by you, O Hari, and I have heard it well."

Verse 49 (garuda.2.59.49)

किं नाम प्राकृतं ज्ञेयं तथा किं वैकृतं प्रभो । एतद्विस्तीर्य मे ब्रूहि श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि मे

kiṃ nāma prākṛtaṃ jñeyaṃ tathā kiṃ vaikṛtaṃ prabho | etadvistīrya me brūhi śrotuṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me

"But what precisely is to be understood as 'Prakrita,' and what as 'Vaikrita,' O Lord? Explain this to me in detail — I am truly eager to hear it."

Verse 50 (garuda.2.59.50)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । अव्यक्ताद्याः पृथिव्यन्ता अण्डाच्च बहिरुद्भवाः । ते सर्वे प्राकृताः प्रोक्तास्तेषां ज्ञानाद्विमच्यते

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | avyaktādyāḥ pṛthivyantā aṇḍācca bahirudbhavāḥ | te sarve prākṛtāḥ proktāsteṣāṃ jñānādvimacyate

Shri Krishna said: "Everything from the Unmanifest down to the earth, and whatever arises outside the cosmic egg — all of this is called 'Prakrita'; by knowledge of it, one attains liberation."

Verse 51 (garuda.2.59.51)

ब्रह्माडं विकृतं ज्ञेयं ब्रह्माण्डान्तः खगेश्वर । या सृष्टिरुच्यते सद्भिः सैवोक्ता विकृतेति च

brahmāḍaṃ vikṛtaṃ jñeyaṃ brahmāṇḍāntaḥ khageśvara | yā sṛṣṭirucyate sadbhiḥ saivoktā vikṛteti ca

"What lies within the Brahmanda is to be known as 'Vikrita,' O lord of birds; whatever creation the wise speak of as occurring within the Brahmanda — that alone is called 'Vikrita.'"

Verse 52 (garuda.2.59.52)

सृष्टिश्च प्रलयश्चैव संसारो भक्तिरेव च । देवता ऋषिमुख्याश्च लोका भूरादयस्तथा

sṛṣṭiśca pralayaścaiva saṃsāro bhaktireva ca | devatā ṛṣimukhyāśca lokā bhūrādayastathā

"Creation and dissolution, worldly transmigration and devotion, the deities and the chief sages, and the worlds beginning with Bhur —"

Verse 53 (garuda.2.59.53)

अनाद्यनन्तकालीनाः सर्वदैकप्रकारकाः । जगत्प्रवाहः सत्योऽयं नैव मिथ्या कथञ्चन

anādyanantakālīnāḥ sarvadaikaprakārakāḥ | jagatpravāhaḥ satyo'yaṃ naiva mithyā kathañcana

"— these are without beginning and without end in time, ever of one unchanging nature. This flow of the universe is real; it is never in any way false."

Verse 54 (garuda.2.59.54)

यत्त्वेतदन्यथा ब्रूयुः सर्वहन्तार एव ते । जगत्प्रवाहः सत्योऽयं हरिसेवेतिसाथा

yattvetadanyathā brūyuḥ sarvahantāra eva te | jagatpravāhaḥ satyo'yaṃ harisevetisāthā

"But those who declare this otherwise are indeed the destroyers of all. This flow of the universe is real, and so too is the service of Hari."

Verse 55 (garuda.2.59.55)

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यमुद्धत्य भुजमुत्यते । वेदाच्छास्त्रं परं नास्ति न देवः केशवात्परः

satyaṃ satyaṃ punaḥ satyamuddhatya bhujamutyate | vedācchāstraṃ paraṃ nāsti na devaḥ keśavātparaḥ

"Truth, truth, and truth again — this is proclaimed with arms raised: there is no scripture higher than the Veda, and no god higher than Keshava."

Verse 56 (garuda.2.59.56)

सर्वोत्कृष्टं केशवं च विहायान्यमुपासते । तेषामन्धं तमो ज्ञेयं पितॄणां गरुणामपि

sarvotkṛṣṭaṃ keśavaṃ ca vihāyānyamupāsate | teṣāmandhaṃ tamo jñeyaṃ pitṝṇāṃ garuṇāmapi

"Those who, forsaking Keshava, who is supreme over all, worship another deity instead — for them, and for their ancestors and teachers as well, blind darkness is to be known as their fate."

Verse 57 (garuda.2.59.57)

इदानीं शृणु पक्षीन्द्र वैकृतं सर्गमुत्तमम् । सम्यग्जानाति यो लोके स याति परमं पदम्

idānīṃ śṛṇu pakṣīndra vaikṛtaṃ sargamuttamam | samyagjānāti yo loke sa yāti paramaṃ padam

"Now hear, O lord of birds, the excellent Vaikrita creation. Whoever in this world understands it truly attains the supreme abode."