Shloka 21

Hari’s Avatāras and the Cosmic Power of Pativratā-Dharma

Devanagari script

पथि सूले तदा प्रोतमचौरं चौरशङ्कया / माण्डव्यमतिदुः खार्तमन्धकारे ऽथ स द्विजः

Transliteration

pathi sūle tadā protamacauraṃ cauraśaṅkayā / māṇḍavyamatiduḥ khārtamandhakāre 'tha sa dvijaḥ

Translation

ثم على الطريق سُمِّر رجل بريء على وتد، إذ اشتُبه به لصًّا. وهكذا بقي الثنائيّ الميلاد ماندافيا، مثقلاً بحزنٍ شديدٍ موجع، في ظلمةٍ حالكة.

Word by Word

• पथि: on the road
• पथि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• सूले: on a stake/pike
• सूले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• प्रोतम्: impaled/fastened (on the stake)
• प्रोतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रोत (कृदन्त; प्र + वे/वय्?; रूढ-प्रयोगः ‘प्रो’ + त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; अचौरम् इति विशेषणम्; अर्थः ‘शूले बद्धम्/विद्धम्’

• अचौरम्: a non-thief/innocent man
• अचौरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + चौर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; नञ्-पूर्वपद (negated)

• चौरशङ्कया: due to suspicion of theft
• चौरशङ्कया: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु; by reason of)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चौर + शङ्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (चौरस्य शङ्का), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• माण्डव्यम्: Māṇḍavya (sage)
• माण्डव्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माण्डव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; नाम

• अतिदुःखार्तम्: extremely distressed by pain
• अतिदुःखार्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति + दुःख + आर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (अतिदुःखेन आर्तः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; माण्डव्यम् इति विशेषणम्

• अन्धकारे: in darkness
• अन्धकारे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then/now)

• स: he
• स: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• द्विजः: the Brahmin (twice-born)
• द्विजः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adharma of punishing the innocent; the moral weight of suspicion-based violence; consequences of unjust authority.

Vedantic Theme: Karma and moral order: harm done under ignorance still binds; suffering can catalyze discernment and renunciation.

Application: Due process and compassion; avoid rash judgment; cultivate restraint in power and punishment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: roadside / public way

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.142 (Māṇḍavya episode: wrongful impalement leading to curse/teaching on justice)

Characters & Entities

• Māṇḍavya

FAQs

What is the importance of the Māṇḍavya episode in the Garuda Purana?

It illustrates how suffering can arise from mistaken judgment and how dharma requires careful discernment; the narrative is used to reflect on karma, justice, and accountability.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul and suffering?

By showing an innocent person undergoing extreme punishment, it frames suffering as part of a larger moral-judicial order discussed in the Preta Kanda, prompting inquiry into karma and righteous adjudication.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid rash suspicion and false accusations; practice fair investigation and compassion, since unjust judgment becomes a serious ethical fault with far-reaching consequences.