Shloka 15

Chandravamsa and Yadu Lineage: From Soma to the Vrishnis, Krishna’s Family, and the Transition to Puru

Devanagari script

वैष्णवाः स्युर्महात्मान इत्येते काशयो नृपाः / पञ्चपुत्रशतान्यासन्रजेः शक्रेण संहृताः

Transliteration

vaiṣṇavāḥ syurmahātmāna ityete kāśayo nṛpāḥ / pañcaputraśatānyāsanrajeḥ śakreṇa saṃhṛtāḥ

Translation

„Sie waren Vaiṣṇavas, großherzige Seelen“—so waren jene Könige von Kāśī. Sie hatten fünfhundert Söhne; doch wurden sie von Indra um (des Königs) Raji willen vernichtet.

Word by Word

• वैष्णवाः: Vaiṣṇavas
• वैष्णवाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैष्णव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• स्युः: would be/are said to be
• स्युः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• महात्मानः: great-souled ones
• महात्मानः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—महत् + आत्मन् (कर्मधारयः: 'महान् आत्मा')

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Discourse marker/उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-निपात (quotative particle)

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• काशयः: the Kāśayas
• काशयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• नृपाः: kings
• नृपाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• पञ्चपुत्रशतानि: five hundred sons
• पञ्चपुत्रशतानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र + शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—पञ्च + पुत्रशत (द्विगु: 'पञ्च-शतानि पुत्राणि')

• आसन्: were
• आसन्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• रजेः: of Raji
• रजेः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शक्रेण: by Śakra (Indra)
• शक्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/instrumental), एकवचन

• संहृताः: destroyed/withdrawn
• संहृताः: Kriya (Result state/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + हृ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (past passive participle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even noble, Vaiṣṇava-aligned kings are subject to reversal through divine/karmaic forces; worldly progeny and power are fragile.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of saṃsāric prosperity; īśvara-adhīnatā (dependence of outcomes on higher order).

Application: Do not rely on lineage, numbers, or status; anchor conduct in humility and dharma, accepting reversals without losing devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: city/kingdom

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.139 surrounding verses on Kāśī kings and succession

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (implied by Vaiṣṇava)
• Indra (Śakra)
• Kāśī
• Raji

FAQs

What is the importance of calling these kings “Vaiṣṇava” in the Garuda Purana?

The verse highlights their devotion and noble character, showing that even renowned Vaiṣṇava rulers can be drawn into larger divine-political conflicts and their consequences.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching?

It functions as a historical/example-based reminder that worldly power and progeny are impermanent, and that outcomes can be shaped by forces beyond human control (including Devas and karmic/lineage-linked events).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate devotion and virtue, but remain detached from pride in status, dynasty, or numbers—since external reversals can overturn even seemingly secure worldly achievements.