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Shloka 3

Garuḍa Learns the Cause of Vinatā’s Bondage and the Nāgas Demand Amṛta (Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 23)

निशम्य च बहून्‌ बालान्‌ कृष्णान्‌ पुच्छसमाश्रितान्‌ | विषण्णरूपां विनतां कद्रूर्दास्थे ्ययोजयत्‌,पूँछके घनीभूत बालोंको काले रंगका देखकर विनता विषादकी मूर्ति बन गयी और कद्गूने उसे अपनी दासीके काममें लगा दिया

niśamya ca bahūn bālān kṛṣṇān pucchasamāśritān | viṣaṇṇarūpāṃ vinatāṃ kadrūr dāsatve 'yojayat ||

Als sie viele Junge sah, die sich am Schweif drängten, schwarz von Farbe, wurde Vinatā zum Ebenbild der Verzweiflung. Kadrū nutzte ihre Niedergeschlagenheit und zwang Vinatā in den Stand der Knechtschaft—ein Abschnitt, der zeigt, wie Trug und Opportunismus einen Augenblick der Fehlwahrnehmung in dauerhafte Fesselung verwandeln können.

निशम्यhaving heard
निशम्य:
TypeVerb
Rootनि-शम् (धातु)
Formल्यप् (क्त्वा), कर्तरि, पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (absolutive)
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
बहून्many
बहून्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootबहु
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
बालान्young ones/children
बालान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootबाल
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
कृष्णान्black/dark
कृष्णान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootकृष्ण
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural
पुच्छ-समाश्रितान्clinging to the tail
पुच्छ-समाश्रितान्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootपुच्छ-समाश्रित
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural, क्त (past passive participle), सम्-आ-श्रि
विषण्ण-रूपाम्having a dejected appearance
विषण्ण-रूपाम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootविषण्ण-रूप
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
विनताम्Vinata
विनताम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootविनता
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
कद्रूःKadru
कद्रूः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootकद्रू
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
दास्येin servitude/as a slave
दास्ये:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootदास्य
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
अयोजयत्appointed/put (her) to
अयोजयत्:
TypeVerb
Rootयुज् (धातु)
Formलङ् (imperfect), परस्मैपद, 3, Singular, कर्तरि

शौनक उवाच

शौनक (Śaunaka)
विनता (Vinatā)
कद्रू (Kadrū)
पूँछ/पुच्छ (tail)
बालाः (young ones—offspring/serpents)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights an ethical warning: when sorrow and confusion cloud judgment, others may exploit the moment to impose unjust control. It points to the importance of discernment and steadfastness in dharma, especially amid rivalry and deception.

Vinatā observes many dark-colored young ones gathered around a tail; she becomes deeply distressed. Kadrū then takes advantage of Vinatā’s dejection and forces her into servitude, setting the stage for later events connected with Vinatā’s bondage.