Shloka 137

Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation

Devanagari script

दिव्यरूपस्तदा देवो देवगन्धर्वसंयुतः / आत्मानं दर्शया मास तस्य राज्ञो महात्मनः

Transliteration

divyarūpastadā devo devagandharvasaṃyutaḥ / ātmānaṃ darśayā māsa tasya rājño mahātmanaḥ

Translation

Da nahm die Gottheit eine strahlende, göttliche Gestalt an, begleitet von Göttern und Gandharvas, und offenbarte jenem großherzigen König ihre Gegenwart.

Word by Word

• दिव्यरूपः: of divine form
• दिव्यरूपः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (देवः)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kala-adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• देवः: the god (Yama)
• देवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• देवगन्धर्वसंयुतः: accompanied by gods and gandharvas
• देवगन्धर्वसंयुतः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुत (सम्-युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘देवैः गन्धर्वैः च संयुतः’ (accompanied by gods and gandharvas)

• आत्मानं: himself
• आत्मानं: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दर्शयाम्: showed
• दर्शयाम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) (णिच् causative: दर्शयति)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect) / परिप्रासे ‘दर्शयाम्’ (1st person singular perfect base used with ‘आस’ periphrastic perfect), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• आस: was (auxiliary)
• आस: Kriya (Auxiliary)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; सहायकक्रिया (periphrastic perfect auxiliary)

• तस्य: of that / his
• तस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (सर्वनाम)

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (king)
• महात्मनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मह (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (राज्ञः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda, Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine governance of karma is part of a higher cosmic order; even fearsome authorities have a luminous, dharmic aspect.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara’s administration through devatās; transformation of perception from fear to insight (yathārtha-darśana).

Application: Contemplate dharma as sacred order; replace fear-based religiosity with clear understanding and reverent alignment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: divine court/assembly

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Yama’s court described with divine splendor; attendants and celestial witnesses (thematic linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Deva
• Gandharva
• King

FAQs

What is the importance of divine darśana (vision) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that divine grace can manifest as direct darśana—God revealing Himself—especially to a dharmic, “mahātman” king, reinforcing faith and righteous conduct.

How does this verse connect to the Garuda Purana’s afterlife teachings?

In the Preta Kanda’s broader setting, divine revelation functions as reassurance amid themes of death, subtle existence, and post-death journey—showing that spiritual merit and devotion invite protection and guidance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate dharma and devotion: live ethically, perform sincere worship and remembrance, and seek inner clarity—so that, like the “mahātman” king, one becomes fit for higher guidance in life’s critical transitions.