Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

वेदानानीय मन्वादीन्पालयामास केशवः / मन्दरं धारयामास कूर्मो भूत्वा हिताय च

Transliteration

vedānānīya manvādīnpālayāmāsa keśavaḥ / mandaraṃ dhārayāmāsa kūrmo bhūtvā hitāya ca

Translation

Keśava brachte die Veden hervor und beschützte Manu und die anderen urzeitlichen Weisen; und zum Wohle aller wurde er Kūrma, die Schildkröte, und trug den Berg Mandara.

Word by Word

• वेदान्: the Vedas
• वेदान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• आनीय: having brought
• आनीय: Kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-√नी (धातु) → आनीय (ल्यप्/तुमुन्-समकक्ष कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययम् (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकालक्रिया (having brought)

• मन्वादीन्: Manu and others
• मन्वादीन्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (मनुः आदिः येषाम्)

• पालयामास: protected
• पालयामास: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पाल् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Periphrastic perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• केशवः: Keśava
• केशवः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• मन्दरम्: Mount Mandara
• मन्दरम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्दर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• धारयामास: held, supported
• धारयामास: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Periphrastic perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• कूर्मः: (as) a tortoise
• कूर्मः: Karta (Subject; in participial construction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √भू (धातु) → भूत्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (Gerund), पूर्वकालक्रिया (having become)

• हिताय: for the welfare
• हिताय: Prayojana/Sampradāna (Purpose dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, चतुर्थी-विभक्तिः (Dative/4th), एकवचनम्; प्रयोजनार्थे (for the benefit)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrative praise within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vishnu preserves revelation (Vedas) and the progenitors; he bears the cosmic burden for the welfare of beings.

Vedantic Theme: Ishvara as adhara (support) of the cosmos; līlā as compassionate governance; dharma continuity through Manu and rishis.

Application: Trust divine support during heavy responsibilities; emulate Kurma’s steadiness—be a stable support for family/community while keeping devotion central.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ocean/mountain

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana avatara accounts: recovery of Vedas, protection of Manu, Kurma bearing Mandara; Garuda Purana praise of Keshava as protector of sages and dharma

Characters & Entities

• Keśava (Vishnu)
• Vedas
• Manu
• Mandara
• Kūrma (Tortoise avatāra)

FAQs

What is the importance of Kūrma (the Tortoise) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Kūrma as Viṣṇu’s supportive incarnation—he bears Mandara to enable the cosmic churning, symbolizing divine assistance for the welfare of the world.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames Viṣṇu as the preserver of Veda and dharma—foundations that guide right living, merit (puṇya), and ultimately the soul’s higher progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat dharma and scriptural wisdom as protective anchors in life, and cultivate steadiness and service—like Kūrma’s support—so collective well-being is sustained.