Shloka 42

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

यथा धन्वन्तरिर्वंशे जातः क्षीरोदमन्थने / देवादीनां जीवनाय ह्यायुर्वेदमुवाच ह

Transliteration

yathā dhanvantarirvaṃśe jātaḥ kṣīrodamanthane / devādīnāṃ jīvanāya hyāyurvedamuvāca ha

Translation

So wie Dhanvantari aus seiner Linie beim Quirlen des Milchozeans geboren wurde, so lehrte er den Āyurveda zum Erhalt und Leben der Götter und der übrigen Wesen.

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparative connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (adverb/conjunction: as/just as)

• धन्वन्तरिः: Dhanvantari
• धन्वन्तरिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन्वन्तरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वंशे: in the lineage
• वंशे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जातः: born
• जातः: Kriya (Predicative participle)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘born’

• क्षीरोदमन्थने: at the churning of the Milk Ocean
• क्षीरोदमन्थने: Adhikarana (Context/occasion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर + उद + मन्थन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘क्षीर-उद’ = क्षीरसमुद्रः; ‘क्षीरोद-मन्थन’ = क्षीरोदस्य मन्थनम्

• देवादीनाम्: of the gods and others
• देवादीनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + आदि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• जीवनाय: for (their) life/sustenance
• जीवनाय: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवन (प्रातिपदिक; भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रयोजन-दत्तिव (dative of purpose)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक

• आयुर्वेदम्: Āyurveda
• आयुर्वेदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् + वेद (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘आयुर्-वेद’ = आयुषः वेदः (science of life)

• उवाच: said/taught
• उवाच: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ह: indeed (particle)
• ह: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पदपूरण/अनुस्मारक (expletive particle)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Preservation of life is a sacred aim; healing knowledge is a divine transmission meant for loka-hita (welfare of beings).

Vedantic Theme: Body as instrument for dharma and sādhana; compassionate action (seva) aligned with Īśvara’s sustaining aspect (sthiti).

Application: Honor health as dharmic responsibility: pursue ethical medicine, preventive living, and compassionate care for others.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic ocean

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145.43 (śravaṇa-phala of hearing these accounts)

Characters & Entities

• Dhanvantari
• Kṣīroda (Ocean of Milk)
• Devas
• Āyurveda

FAQs

What is the importance of Dhanvantari in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Dhanvantari as a divinely manifested physician connected with the Milk Ocean churning, emphasizing Āyurveda as a sacred teaching meant to sustain life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by highlighting life-preserving knowledge (Āyurveda), it supports dharmic living and longevity, which in Garuda Purana’s framework helps one fulfill duties before facing death and post-death journeys.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat health-care and disciplined living as part of dharma—supporting longevity, clarity, and the ability to perform righteous duties.