Shloka 21

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

Brahmā’s Synopsis of the Epic and the Logic of Divine Descents

Devanagari script

ययुर्विराटनगरं गुप्तरूपेण संश्रिताः / वर्षमेकं महाप्राज्ञा गोग्रहात्तमपालयन्

Transliteration

yayurvirāṭanagaraṃ guptarūpeṇa saṃśritāḥ / varṣamekaṃ mahāprājñā gograhāttamapālayan

Translation

Sie gingen in die Stadt Virāṭa und lebten dort in Verkleidung; ein ganzes Jahr lang schützten jene hochweisen Männer ihn vor dem Überfall zur Rinderraubung.

Word by Word

• ययुः: they went
• ययुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• विराटनगरम्: to the city of Virāṭa
• विराटनगरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विराट + नगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘विराटस्य नगरम्’

• गुप्तरूपेण: in a concealed form
• गुप्तरूपेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुप्त + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘गुप्तं रूपम्’

• संश्रिताः: having taken refuge
• संश्रिताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + √श्रि (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘having taken refuge/resorted’

• वर्षम्: (for) a year
• वर्षम्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण-काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कालाधिकरणे (duration)

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वर्षम्)

• महाप्राज्ञाः: very wise (men)
• महाप्राज्ञाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + प्राज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘महान्तः प्राज्ञाः’

• गोग्रहात्: from the cattle-raid
• गोग्रहात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो + ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘गवां ग्रहः’ (cattle-seizure)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अपालयन्: they protected
• अपालयन्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अप + √पाल् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrator to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the Purana’s discourse style)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma sometimes requires restraint and concealment; true strength includes patience, timing, and protection of dependents.

Vedantic Theme: Control of ego and senses (dama) supports right action; karma-yoga through duty without display.

Application: Practice strategic patience; protect community assets; keep commitments even under pressure; act decisively when duty calls.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: city/royal domain

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: rājadharma themes—protection of subjects and wealth; cattle as economic dharma (thematic).

Characters & Entities

• Virata

FAQs

What is the importance of the Virata-nagara reference in the Garuda Purana?

It anchors the Purana’s teaching in well-known Itihasa memory, using the Virata episode to illustrate dharma through restraint, concealment, and disciplined conduct under vows.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or afterlife teachings of the Garuda Purana?

This particular verse is narrative/Itihasa-oriented rather than directly afterlife-focused; it supports the broader Garuda Purana ethic that steadfast dharma and self-control are protective forces in crises.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice discretion, keep commitments for a fixed period (like a vow), and protect what is entrusted to you—especially the vulnerable—without seeking recognition.