The Fullness of Hari's Form and the Discernment of Essence and Non-Essence in the Vaishvadeva Offering

Verse 1 (garuda.2.63.1)

श्रीगरुड उवाच । अवतारान्हरे ब्रूहि तथा लक्ष्म्या दिवौकसाम् । गुणानामन्तर ब्रूहि शिष्यस्य मम सव्रत

śrīgaruḍa uvāca | avatārānhare brūhi tathā lakṣmyā divaukasām | guṇānāmantara brūhi śiṣyasya mama savrata

Garuda said: "O lord, tell me of the incarnations of Hari, and also of Lakshmi and the celestial gods. O keeper of true vows, explain to me, your disciple, the distinctions among the divine qualities."

Verse 2 (garuda.2.63.2)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । यो मूलरूपी भगवाननन्तो ब्रह्मादिभिः पुर्णगुणः स्वतन्त्रः । पुरातनः पूर्णतनुर्मदात्मा न तादृशाः संति कदापि वीद्र

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | yo mūlarūpī bhagavānananto brahmādibhiḥ purṇaguṇaḥ svatantraḥ | purātanaḥ pūrṇatanurmadātmā na tādṛśāḥ saṃti kadāpi vīdra

Shri Krishna said: "He who in his root-form is the infinite Bhagavan, praised by Brahma and the other gods, endowed with every quality, independent, primeval, of a wholly perfect body, and who is my very self — none such as he exists, ever, O lord of birds."

Verse 3 (garuda.2.63.3)

पादश्च पूर्णः पादतलं च पूर्णं नखाश्च पूर्णाः कटिकण्ठौ च पूर्णौ । ऊरू च पूर्णे उदरं च पूर्णं लब्ध्वापि पूर्णाञ्जगृहे तथाप्युरः

pādaśca pūrṇaḥ pādatalaṃ ca pūrṇaṃ nakhāśca pūrṇāḥ kaṭikaṇṭhau ca pūrṇau | ūrū ca pūrṇe udaraṃ ca pūrṇaṃ labdhvāpi pūrṇāñjagṛhe tathāpyuraḥ

His feet are perfect, the soles of his feet are perfect, his nails are perfect, his waist and his throat are both perfect, his thighs are perfect, his belly is perfect — and even having attained such fullness, his chest too was found wholly perfect.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.63.4)

स्कन्धः सुपूर्णाः सकलाश्च बाहवः पूर्णाः केशाः श्मश्रुदन्ताश्च पूर्णाः । लोमानि पूर्णानि तथैव रोमकूपाश्च पूर्णास्तु तथैव शिश्रः

skandhaḥ supūrṇāḥ sakalāśca bāhavaḥ pūrṇāḥ keśāḥ śmaśrudantāśca pūrṇāḥ | lomāni pūrṇāni tathaiva romakūpāśca pūrṇāstu tathaiva śiśraḥ

His shoulders are altogether perfect, all his arms are perfect, his hair, his beard, and his teeth are perfect, his body-hairs are perfect, and likewise his hair-follicles are perfect — and in the same way his generative organ too is perfect.

Verse 5 (garuda.2.63.5)

अण्डश्च पूर्णो ह्यण्डरोमाणि कक्षाश्चक्षुश्च श्रोत्रे सर्व एते च पूर्णाः । किं वर्णये मूलरूपं हरेश्च यावद्वलं पूर्णं समग्रदेहे

aṇḍaśca pūrṇo hyaṇḍaromāṇi kakṣāścakṣuśca śrotre sarva ete ca pūrṇāḥ | kiṃ varṇaye mūlarūpaṃ hareśca yāvadvalaṃ pūrṇaṃ samagradehe

His testicles are perfect, as are the hairs upon them; his armpits, his eyes, and his ears — all these are perfect. What more shall I say in describing the root-form of Hari? As much strength as pervades his entire body in its fullness,

Verse 6 (garuda.2.63.6)

तावद्ब्रलं ह्येकरोमादिकेषु संतित्विमे हि यतः स एव पूर्णः । स एव तु सर्वस्य कर्ता स एव हर्था स तु सारांशभोक्ता

tāvadbralaṃ hyekaromādikeṣu saṃtitvime hi yataḥ sa eva pūrṇaḥ | sa eva tu sarvasya kartā sa eva harthā sa tu sārāṃśabhoktā

that same strength exists even in each single hair of his, for he alone is complete everywhere. He alone is the maker of all things, he alone is their purpose, and he partakes only of the essential portion.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.63.7)

असारांशं नैव भोक्ता हरिस्तु सारान्वक्ष्ये शृणु पक्षीन्द्र सम्यक् । द्राक्षेक्षुसारं नारिकेलस्य सारं चूतस्य सारं पनसस्यापि सारम्

asārāṃśaṃ naiva bhoktā haristu sārānvakṣye śṛṇu pakṣīndra samyak | drākṣekṣusāraṃ nārikelasya sāraṃ cūtasya sāraṃ panasasyāpi sāram

Hari never partakes of the non-essential portion. I shall now tell you those essential things — listen carefully, O lord of birds: the essence of grapes and sugarcane, the essence of coconut, the essence of mango, and also the essence of jackfruit,

Verse 8 (garuda.2.63.8)

नारङ्गसारं क्रमुकस्यापि सारं खर्जूरसारं कदलीफलस्य । नारायणो बीजरूपस्य सारं गृह्णाति नित्यं भक्तवर्यो दयालुः

nāraṅgasāraṃ kramukasyāpi sāraṃ kharjūrasāraṃ kadalīphalasya | nārāyaṇo bījarūpasya sāraṃ gṛhṇāti nityaṃ bhaktavaryo dayāluḥ

the essence of orange, and also the essence of areca-nut, the essence of dates, and the essence of the plantain fruit — the merciful Narayana, most gracious to his devotees, ever takes the essence of these seed-born things.

Verse 9 (garuda.2.63.9)

ताम्बूलसारं खदिरस्य सारं पुष्पस्य सारं चन्दनस्यापि सारम् । गोधूमसारं यवानां च सारं माषस्य सारं हरेणोश्च सारम्

tāmbūlasāraṃ khadirasya sāraṃ puṣpasya sāraṃ candanasyāpi sāram | godhūmasāraṃ yavānāṃ ca sāraṃ māṣasya sāraṃ hareṇośca sāram

the essence of betel-leaf, the essence of catechu-wood, the essence of flowers, and also the essence of sandalwood; the essence of wheat and the essence of barley, the essence of black gram, and also the essence of the harenu pulse —

Verse 10 (garuda.2.63.10)

शुद्धं तथा व्रीहिनीवारसारं श्यामाकसारं शुद्धधान्यस्य सारम्

śuddhaṃ tathā vrīhinīvārasāraṃ śyāmākasāraṃ śuddhadhānyasya sāram

and likewise the essence of pure rice and of wild nivara rice, the essence of shyamaka millet, and the essence of pure grain — he partakes of these too.

Verse 11 (garuda.2.63.11)

निषिद्धान्सर्वशाकस्य सारांस्तथा निपिद्धाल्लांवणस्वापि सारान् । गृह्णाति विष्णुः परमादरेण अन्नस्य सारं भक्ष्यभोज्यस्य सारम्

niṣiddhānsarvaśākasya sārāṃstathā nipiddhāllāṃvaṇasvāpi sārān | gṛhṇāti viṣṇuḥ paramādareṇa annasya sāraṃ bhakṣyabhojyasya sāram

Even the essences of all forbidden vegetables, and likewise the essences of forbidden salted foods, the essence of cooked grain, and the essence of things fit to be eaten and chewed — all these Vishnu accepts with the utmost regard.

Verse 12 (garuda.2.63.12)

सूपस्य सारं परमान्नस्य सारं दुग्धस्य सारं दधितक्रस्य सारम् । घृतस्य सारं रामठस्यापि सारं गृह्णाति विष्णुः सर्षपस्यापि सारम्

sūpasya sāraṃ paramānnasya sāraṃ dugdhasya sāraṃ dadhitakrasya sāram | ghṛtasya sāraṃ rāmaṭhasyāpi sāraṃ gṛhṇāti viṣṇuḥ sarṣapasyāpi sāram

Vishnu also takes the essence of lentil-broth, the essence of sweet rice-pudding, the essence of milk, the essence of curd and buttermilk, the essence of ghee, and also the essence of asafoetida, and the essence of mustard.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.63.13)

मरीचसारं जीरकस्यापि सारं तथा हविर्घृतपक्वस्य सारम् । तैलेषु पक्वस्य च भर्जितस्य गुडस्य सारं नवनीतस्य सारम्

marīcasāraṃ jīrakasyāpi sāraṃ tathā havirghṛtapakvasya sāram | taileṣu pakvasya ca bharjitasya guḍasya sāraṃ navanītasya sāram

the essence of black pepper, and also the essence of cumin, and likewise the essence of oblations cooked in ghee; the essence of things cooked and fried in oil, the essence of jaggery, and the essence of fresh butter —

Verse 14 (garuda.2.63.14)

लवङ्गसारं शर्करायाश्च सारमित्यादिसारान् वासुदेवस्तु भुक्ते । लक्ष्मीपतिः सर्वजगन्निवा सस्तस्याज्ञया वासुदेवोपि नित्यम्

lavaṅgasāraṃ śarkarāyāśca sāramityādisārān vāsudevastu bhukte | lakṣmīpatiḥ sarvajagannivā sastasyājñayā vāsudevopi nityam

the essence of cloves and the essence of sugar, and other such essences besides — all these Vasudeva partakes of. It is by the very command of Lakshmi's lord, the abode of the entire universe, that Vasudeva too ever partakes thus.

Verse 15 (garuda.2.63.15)

तच्छेषसारानपि चावनीशो महात्मनोंशाञ्छृणु शिष्यवर्य । एवं विमूढा वासुदेवस्य भक्ताः किं वक्तव्यं विष्णुभक्ता हि लोके

taccheṣasārānapi cāvanīśo mahātmanoṃśāñchṛṇu śiṣyavarya | evaṃ vimūḍhā vāsudevasya bhaktāḥ kiṃ vaktavyaṃ viṣṇubhaktā hi loke

Listen too, best of disciples, to the remaining essential portions of that great being, which the lord of the earth partakes of in that form. Thus even the devotees of Vasudeva remain deluded about this secret — what then need be said of ordinary devotees of Vishnu in this world!

Verse 16 (garuda.2.63.16)

कल्याणास्ते सारभोक्तार एव नैषां भवेत्तेन दुः खाभिवृद्धिः । भुञ्जन्ति ये वैश्वदेवं विहाय दुष्टांस्तान्वै भुक्तिचिन्त्तांश्च विद्धि

kalyāṇāste sārabhoktāra eva naiṣāṃ bhavettena duḥ khābhivṛddhiḥ | bhuñjanti ye vaiśvadevaṃ vihāya duṣṭāṃstānvai bhukticinttāṃśca viddhi

Blessed indeed are those who eat only the essence — for them, no increase of sorrow results from it. But know those who eat their meal having neglected the Vaishvadeva rite to be wicked, and their eating to be nothing but an anxious preoccupation.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.63.17)

वक्ष्ये विशेषं वैश्वदेवे खगेन्द्र गोप्यं नो वदान्यत्र विद्वान् । सूर्यादीनां ये च दाने च दद्युर्विना वायोरन्तरस्थं हरिं च

vakṣye viśeṣaṃ vaiśvadeve khagendra gopyaṃ no vadānyatra vidvān | sūryādīnāṃ ye ca dāne ca dadyurvinā vāyorantarasthaṃ hariṃ ca

O lord of birds, I shall now tell a particular secret concerning the Vaishvadeva rite — being wise, do not repeat it elsewhere. Those who, while offering oblations to the Sun and the other deities, also offer to Hari who dwells within the Wind,

Verse 18 (garuda.2.63.18)

ते वै सदा सारभोक्तार एव ज्ञेयास्त्वतो विष्णुरेको महात्मा । सारांशभोक्ता न तु सर्वस्य भोक्ता भुनक्ति सर्वं त्वविरुद्धशक्तिः

te vai sadā sārabhoktāra eva jñeyāstvato viṣṇureko mahātmā | sārāṃśabhoktā na tu sarvasya bhoktā bhunakti sarvaṃ tvaviruddhaśaktiḥ

they alone should ever be reckoned as partakers of the essence. Know from this that Vishnu, the one great being, is the partaker of the essential portion alone, not the partaker of everything as such — yet by his unimpeded power he enjoys all things.

Verse 19 (garuda.2.63.19)

वक्ष्ये ह सारान्पुनरन्यान्खगेन्द्र शृणुष्व गुह्यं परमादरेण । द्राक्षादयः सर्व एव त्वसाराः कालादिदुष्टा भावदुष्टाः पदार्थाः

vakṣye ha sārānpunaranyānkhagendra śṛṇuṣva guhyaṃ paramādareṇa | drākṣādayaḥ sarva eva tvasārāḥ kālādiduṣṭā bhāvaduṣṭāḥ padārthāḥ

O lord of birds, I shall now speak of yet other essential things; listen to this secret with the utmost reverence. Grapes and the like — all such things — become devoid of essence when spoiled by time and the like, or when their very nature is corrupted.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.63.20)

अतिपक्वानन्तरं तु तथा दिनचतुष्टये । असाराः कलुषा ज्ञेयास्तथा जंबूफलं स्मृतम्

atipakvānantaraṃ tu tathā dinacatuṣṭaye | asārāḥ kaluṣā jñeyāstathā jaṃbūphalaṃ smṛtam

After becoming overripe, or after four days have passed, they should be understood to be without essence and impure; the same is said of the jambu fruit.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.63.21)

मासस्यानन्तरं वीन्द्र त्वसारं पनसं स्मृतम् । षण्मासानन्तरं वीन्द्र खर्जूरं तिक्तवत्स्मृतम्

māsasyānantaraṃ vīndra tvasāraṃ panasaṃ smṛtam | ṣaṇmāsānantaraṃ vīndra kharjūraṃ tiktavatsmṛtam

O lord of birds, it is said that jackfruit becomes devoid of essence after a month has passed. O lord of birds, after six months the date becomes, as it were, bitter and without essence.

Verse 22 (garuda.2.63.22)

आर्द्रं पूतं नारिकेलं स्फोटनानन्तरं प्रभो । अहोरात्रानन्तरं तु असारं परिकीर्तितम्

ārdraṃ pūtaṃ nārikelaṃ sphoṭanānantaraṃ prabho | ahorātrānantaraṃ tu asāraṃ parikīrtitam

O lord, fresh coconut, once broken open, is declared to be without essence as soon as a day and a night have passed.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.63.23)

शुष्कभूतं नारिकेलं खजूरं तु यथा तथा । पक्षस्यानन्तरं चूतमसारं परिकीर्तितम्

śuṣkabhūtaṃ nārikelaṃ khajūraṃ tu yathā tathā | pakṣasyānantaraṃ cūtamasāraṃ parikīrtitam

Dried coconut and dates remain as they are for a longer time; but mango is declared to be without essence once a fortnight has passed.

Verse 24 (garuda.2.63.24)

वर्षस्यानन्तरं वीन्द्र पूगीफलमुदाहृतम् । घटिकानन्तरं वीन्द्र तांबूलं परिकीर्तितम्

varṣasyānantaraṃ vīndra pūgīphalamudāhṛtam | ghaṭikānantaraṃ vīndra tāṃbūlaṃ parikīrtitam

O lord of birds, it is declared that the areca-nut loses its essence after a year has passed. O lord of birds, betel-leaf is declared to be without essence after a single ghatika, about twenty-four minutes.

Verse 25 (garuda.2.63.25)

यामस्यानन्तरं चान्नं सूपान्नं पायसं तथा । भक्ष्यं च क्वथितं वीन्द्र असारं परिकीर्तितम्

yāmasyānantaraṃ cānnaṃ sūpānnaṃ pāyasaṃ tathā | bhakṣyaṃ ca kvathitaṃ vīndra asāraṃ parikīrtitam

O lord of birds, after one prahara, roughly three hours, has passed, cooked rice, rice with lentils, rice-pudding, and boiled food likewise — all these are declared to be without essence.

Verse 26 (garuda.2.63.26)

त्रिपक्षानन्तरं वीन्द्र तैलपक्वं तथा स्मृतम् । चतुर्यामानन्तरं च त्वसारं घृतपक्वकम्

tripakṣānantaraṃ vīndra tailapakvaṃ tathā smṛtam | caturyāmānantaraṃ ca tvasāraṃ ghṛtapakvakam

O lord of birds, after three fortnights, forty-five days, that which is cooked in oil is likewise held to become without essence. And after four praharas have passed, that which is cooked in ghee becomes without essence.

Verse 27 (garuda.2.63.27)

त्रियामानन्तरं शाका निः साराः परिकीर्तिताः । जंबीरं शृङ्गबेरे धात्री कर्पूरं च चूतकम्

triyāmānantaraṃ śākā niḥ sārāḥ parikīrtitāḥ | jaṃbīraṃ śṛṅgabere dhātrī karpūraṃ ca cūtakam

After three praharas, leafy vegetables are declared without essence — as also lemon, ginger, amla, camphor, and mango.

Verse 28 (garuda.2.63.28)

वत्सरानन्तरं वीन्द्र निः सारं परिकीर्तितम् । पर्पटः पक्षमात्रेण निः सारः परिकीर्तितः

vatsarānantaraṃ vīndra niḥ sāraṃ parikīrtitam | parpaṭaḥ pakṣamātreṇa niḥ sāraḥ parikīrtitaḥ

O lord of birds, after a year has passed these are declared without essence. Parpataka, a bitter medicinal herb, is declared without essence after merely a fortnight.

Verse 29 (garuda.2.63.29)

तुलसी सर्वदा सारा एकादश्यामपि द्विज । आर्द्रा वाप्यथवा शुष्का सार्द्रा सारवती स्मृता

tulasī sarvadā sārā ekādaśyāmapi dvija | ārdrā vāpyathavā śuṣkā sārdrā sāravatī smṛtā

O twice-born one, tulsi always remains full of essence — even on the day of Ekadashi. Whether moist or dry, so long as it is fresh, it is ever reckoned to be full of essence.

Verse 30 (garuda.2.63.30)

एकादश्यां तु तुलसी सारा ग्राह्या मनीषिभिः । त्वचा नासेंद्रियेणापि न तु जिह्वेन्द्रियेण च

ekādaśyāṃ tu tulasī sārā grāhyā manīṣibhiḥ | tvacā nāseṃdriyeṇāpi na tu jihvendriyeṇa ca

Yet on Ekadashi, the wise should take the essence of tulsi only through the organ of touch and the organ of smell, and not through the organ of taste.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.63.31)

एकादश्यां हरेरन्नं निः सारं परिकीर्तितम् । एकादश्यां हरेस्तीर्थं मनुष्याणां खगेश्वर

ekādaśyāṃ harerannaṃ niḥ sāraṃ parikīrtitam | ekādaśyāṃ harestīrthaṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ khageśvara

On the day of Ekadashi, the food offered to Hari is declared to be without essence for men to partake of. But, O lord of birds, on Ekadashi the sacred water of Hari remains full of essence for men.

Verse 32 (garuda.2.63.32)

एकवारे च सारं स्याद्द्विवारे च ततोधिकम् । एकादश्यां महाभाग तीर्थं गन्धादिमिश्रितम्

ekavāre ca sāraṃ syāddvivāre ca tatodhikam | ekādaśyāṃ mahābhāga tīrthaṃ gandhādimiśritam

Taken once, it possesses essence; taken twice, even more so. O most fortunate one, on Ekadashi the tirtha-water mixed with sandal-paste and the like is held auspicious.

Verse 33 (garuda.2.63.33)

असारमिति संप्रोक्तं तथा स्वादूदमिश्रितम् । एकादश्यां हरेः सारं क्षीरं सर्पिर्मधूदकम्

asāramiti saṃproktaṃ tathā svādūdamiśritam | ekādaśyāṃ hareḥ sāraṃ kṣīraṃ sarpirmadhūdakam

But that water mixed with sweetened water is declared to be without essence. On Ekadashi, the essential things pertaining to Hari are milk, ghee, honey, and water.

Verse 34 (garuda.2.63.34)

निः सारं मनुजेन्द्राणामिति वेदविदां मतम् । आषाढमासे गरुड शाको निः सार उच्यते

niḥ sāraṃ manujendrāṇāmiti vedavidāṃ matam | āṣāḍhamāse garuḍa śāko niḥ sāra ucyate

This is the opinion of the knowers of the Veda — that everything else is without essence for men. O Garuda, in the month of Ashadha, leafy vegetables are said to be without essence.

Verse 35 (garuda.2.63.35)

मासि भाद्रपदे वीन्द्र ह्यसारं दधि चोच्यते । क्षीरं तु ह्याश्विने मासे निः सारं परिकीर्तितम्

māsi bhādrapade vīndra hyasāraṃ dadhi cocyate | kṣīraṃ tu hyāśvine māse niḥ sāraṃ parikīrtitam

O lord of birds, in the month of Bhadrapada, curd is said to be without essence. And in the month of Ashvina, milk is declared to be without essence.

Verse 36 (garuda.2.63.36)

ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्रगदाहीना नार्यसारेति गीयते । हरिभक्तिविहीना ये ह्यसुराः परिकीर्तिताः

ūrdhvapuṇḍragadāhīnā nāryasāreti gīyate | haribhaktivihīnā ye hyasurāḥ parikīrtitāḥ

A woman devoid of the urdhva-pundra mark and the emblem of the mace is said to be without essence. And those who are devoid of devotion to Hari are called asuras.

Verse 37 (garuda.2.63.37)

हरिनामविहीनं तु मुखं निः सारमुच्यते । हरिनैवेद्यहीनस्तु पाको निः सार उच्यते

harināmavihīnaṃ tu mukhaṃ niḥ sāramucyate | harinaivedyahīnastu pāko niḥ sāra ucyate

A mouth devoid of the name of Hari is said to be without essence. And food cooked without first being offered to Hari as naivedya is likewise called without essence.

Verse 38 (garuda.2.63.38)

त्रिदिनैश्चातसीपुष्पं निः सारं परिकीर्तितम् । प्रहरं मल्लिका सारं जाती तु प्रहरार्धकम्

tridinaiścātasīpuṣpaṃ niḥ sāraṃ parikīrtitam | praharaṃ mallikā sāraṃ jātī tu praharārdhakam

The flax flower is declared to be without essence after three days. The jasmine flower retains its essence for one prahara, and the jati jasmine for half a prahara.

Verse 39 (garuda.2.63.39)

त्रियामं शतपत्रं स्यात्करवीरमहर्निशम् । घटिकावधि सारं स्यात्पारिजातं खगेश्वर

triyāmaṃ śatapatraṃ syātkaravīramaharniśam | ghaṭikāvadhi sāraṃ syātpārijātaṃ khageśvara

O lord of birds, the hundred-petaled rose retains its essence for three praharas, and the oleander for a full day and night. The parijata flower retains its essence for only a single ghatika.

Verse 40 (garuda.2.63.40)

त्रिवर्षं केसरं फल्ग सारमित्युच्यते बुधैः । कस्तूरी दशवर्षं तु कर्पूरं वर्षमात्रकम्

trivarṣaṃ kesaraṃ phalga sāramityucyate budhaiḥ | kastūrī daśavarṣaṃ tu karpūraṃ varṣamātrakam

The wise say that saffron retains its essence for three years. Musk retains it for ten years, and camphor for only a single year.

Verse 41 (garuda.2.63.41)

ससारमिति संप्रोक्तं चन्दनं सर्वदा स्मृतम् । शुद्धन्निः सारभूतांश्च वक्ष्ये शृणु खगेश्वर

sasāramiti saṃproktaṃ candanaṃ sarvadā smṛtam | śuddhanniḥ sārabhūtāṃśca vakṣye śṛṇu khageśvara

Sandalwood, it is said, always remains full of essence. Now I shall tell of those things which are, by their very nature, devoid of essence — listen carefully, O lord of birds.

Verse 42 (garuda.2.63.42)

तुषा मेध्या आरनालं पुण्यकं भिः सटा तथा । उपोद्व्रजी अलाबूश्च बृहत्कोशातकी तथा

tuṣā medhyā āranālaṃ puṇyakaṃ bhiḥ saṭā tathā | upodvrajī alābūśca bṛhatkośātakī tathā

Husk, matter unfit for sacrifice, sour rice-gruel, punyaka, sata, upodvraji, the bottle-gourd, and the large ridge-gourd —

Verse 43 (garuda.2.63.43)

वृन्ताकं चुक्रशाकश्च बिल्वमौदुंवरं तथा । पलाञ्जुर्लशुनं वृन्तं कलञ्जं च तथा द्विजा

vṛntākaṃ cukraśākaśca bilvamauduṃvaraṃ tathā | palāñjurlaśunaṃ vṛntaṃ kalañjaṃ ca tathā dvijā

O twice-born ones, brinjal, sorrel greens, the bel fruit, and likewise the fig; onion, garlic, stalks, and kalanja — all these are by nature without essence.

Verse 44 (garuda.2.63.44)

एतत्सर्वत्र काले च निः सारमिति कीर्तितम् । एकादश्यां वैश्वदेवं श्राद्धं तर्पणमेव च

etatsarvatra kāle ca niḥ sāramiti kīrtitam | ekādaśyāṃ vaiśvadevaṃ śrāddhaṃ tarpaṇameva ca

All these things are declared to be, at all times and in all places, without essence. On the day of Ekadashi, the Vaishvadeva rite, the shraddha, and the tarpana likewise,

Verse 45 (garuda.2.63.45)

मन्त्रेण प्रेतदहनमसारं परिकीर्तितम् । हविर्नारायणो देवो एतांश्च ह्यशुभान्र सान्

mantreṇa pretadahanamasāraṃ parikīrtitam | havirnārāyaṇo devo etāṃśca hyaśubhānra sān

and the cremation of the dead performed with mantras — all these are declared to be without essence on that day. The god Narayana accepts only the oblation itself, and as for these inauspicious, tainted things —

Verse 46 (garuda.2.63.46)

न गृह्णाति न गृह्णाति न गृह्णाति हरिः स्वयम् । तथापि सर्वं जानाति जीवानां पापकर्मणाम्

na gṛhṇāti na gṛhṇāti na gṛhṇāti hariḥ svayam | tathāpi sarvaṃ jānāti jīvānāṃ pāpakarmaṇām

Hari himself never accepts them, never accepts them, never accepts them. And yet he knows fully all the sinful deeds of living beings.

Verse 47 (garuda.2.63.47)

आस्वादनं कारयति स्वयं नास्वादते हरिः । असारभोजनं चैव जीवानां कर्मजं फलम्

āsvādanaṃ kārayati svayaṃ nāsvādate hariḥ | asārabhojanaṃ caiva jīvānāṃ karmajaṃ phalam

He causes others to taste, but Hari himself does not taste. The eating of what is without essence is simply the fruit born of the past deeds of living beings.

Verse 48 (garuda.2.63.48)

अमुख्यभोजिनो जीवाः कुन्त्याद्या मुख्यभोजिनः । शुभानि च पिबेद्विष्णुरशुभं नो पिबेद्विभुः

amukhyabhojino jīvāḥ kuntyādyā mukhyabhojinaḥ | śubhāni ca pibedviṣṇuraśubhaṃ no pibedvibhuḥ

Ordinary beings are eaters of the secondary and lesser things, while great devotees like Kunti are eaters of the essential and principal things. Vishnu partakes only of what is auspicious; the all-pervading Lord never partakes of what is inauspicious.

Verse 49 (garuda.2.63.49)

को वदेत्तस्य चेष्टां तु पूर्णानन्दो हरिः स्वयम् । न तेन सदृशः कोपि देशे काले च विद्यते । तस्यावतारान्वक्ष्यहं शृणु पक्षीन्द्रसत्तम

ko vadettasya ceṣṭāṃ tu pūrṇānando hariḥ svayam | na tena sadṛśaḥ kopi deśe kāle ca vidyate | tasyāvatārānvakṣyahaṃ śṛṇu pakṣīndrasattama

Who indeed can describe the ways of Hari, who is himself the embodiment of perfect bliss? None equal to him exists in any place or time. Now I shall tell of his incarnations — listen, O best among the lords of birds.