Shloka 2

Ratna-parīkṣā: Vajra (Diamond/Thunderbolt) — Origin, Types, Testing, Defects, Weights, and Royal Auspiciousness

Devanagari script

वरव्याजेन पशुतां याचितः स सुरैर्मखे / बलो ददौ स (स्व) पशुतामतिसत्त्व सुरैर्हतः

Transliteration

varavyājena paśutāṃ yācitaḥ sa surairmakhe / balo dadau sa (sva) paśutāmatisattva surairhataḥ

Translation

Unter dem Vorwand einer Gunst baten ihn die Devas beim Opfer um die Gabe von Rindern; Bali gewährte sogar sein eigenes Vieh. Doch wegen seiner außerordentlichen Macht wurde er von den Devas erschlagen.

Word by Word

• वरव्याजेन: by the pretext of a boon
• वरव्याजेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर + व्याज (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु-अर्थे (instrumental: 'by/with the pretext of a boon')

• पशुताम्: (as) animals; animal-hood
• पशुताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्मपद (object)

• याचितः: (he) was requested
• याचितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: याच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘having been requested’

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

• सुरैः: by the gods
• सुरैः: Kartr (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; कर्तृकरण-सम्बन्धे (by the gods)

• मखे: in the sacrifice
• मखे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• बलः: Bali
• बलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्ता

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्शभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स: he
• स: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; पुनरुक्त-सर्वनाम

• स्व: his own
• स्व: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोग/सम्बन्धविशेषण; ‘own’ (here qualifying पशुताम्)

• पशुताम्: (as) animals
• पशुताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; कर्म

• अतिसत्त्व: exceedingly mighty
• अतिसत्त्व: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/विशेषणरूपे अव्ययवत्; प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘exceedingly strong/valiant’ (qualifying स/बलः)

• सुरैः: by the gods
• सुरैः: Kartr (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; कर्तृकरण-सम्बन्धे

• हतः: was slain
• हतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘slain’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dāna and satya bind the giver; even divine beings may act through upāya (strategem) for perceived cosmic balance.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala operates beyond appearances; adhikāra and cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) can override personal might.

Application: Practice generosity with discernment; uphold truthfulness, but recognize that power-politics can masquerade as dharma—cultivate inner steadiness rather than reliance on external fairness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.68.3-6 (continuation: slaughter, jewel-seed limbs, ratna-bīja grāha, falling jewel fragments)

Characters & Entities

• Bali
• Devas (Suras)
• Yajña (sacrifice)

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charity) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse highlights Bali’s readiness to give—even his own cattle—showing that generosity is a recognized dharmic virtue even when the surrounding context is politically or cosmically contested.

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

Indirectly: it frames karma through intention and action—acts like giving (dāna) are presented as dharmic merits, even though worldly outcomes (like being slain in conflict) may still occur due to larger forces and rivalries.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice ethical giving without manipulation—offer support sincerely (time, resources, service), while also using discernment about contexts where “boons” or favors are requested for hidden motives.