Shloka 12

प्रद्युम्न-अपहरणम्, मत्स्य-उद्धारः, मायावती-शिक्षा, शम्बरवधः, रुक्मिणी-पुत्र-संगमः

Devanagari script

स यदा यौवनाभोगभूषितो ऽभून् महामुने साभिलाषा तदा सा तु बभूव गजगामिनी

Transliteration

sa yadā yauvanābhogabhūṣito 'bhūn mahāmune sābhilāṣā tadā sā tu babhūva gajagāminī

Translation

O großer Weiser, als er mit den Genüssen und dem Glanz der Jugend geschmückt war, da wurde auch sie—von Verlangen erfüllt—zu einer Frau von majestätischem, elefantengleichem Gang.

Word by Word

सःhe

यदाwhen

यौवनाभोगभूषितःadorned with the fullness of youth

अभूत्became

महामुनेO great sage

साभिलाषाfull of desire

तदाthen

साshe

तुbut

बभूवbecame

गजगामिनीelephant-gaited (graceful)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating) to Maitreya

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Teaching: Historical

Quality: descriptive

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: To manifest divine līlā through the Yādavas and uphold dharma by vanquishing hostile forces.

Leela: Loka-rakshana

Dharma Restored: Continuation of divine lineage and the eventual defeat of the asura who disrupted it.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Krishna

Bhakti Type: Madhurya

Vyuha Form: Pradyumna

FAQs

What is the significance of the epithet "gajagāminī" in the Vishnu Purana?

It is a classical Sanskrit poetic descriptor meaning “elephant-gaited,” used to convey dignified, graceful movement and mature feminine allure within a narrative scene.

How does Sage Parāśara present desire (abhilāṣa) in this verse?

He depicts desire as arising naturally alongside youth and its enjoyments, using vivid bodily imagery to show an inner change mirrored outwardly in demeanor and movement.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even in genealogical and romantic episodes, the Vishnu Purana situates human experiences within the larger order upheld by Vishnu—where worldly change unfolds under a sovereign cosmic framework.