Shloka 54

Vamsha of Dhruva and Prithu; Daksha’s Progeny; Enumerations of Devas, Asuras, Nagas, and Birds

Devanagari script

व्यंशः शल्यश्च बलवान्नभश्चैव महाबलः / वातापिर्नमुचिश्चैव इल्वलः खसृमांस्तथा

Transliteration

vyaṃśaḥ śalyaśca balavānnabhaścaiva mahābalaḥ / vātāpirnamuciścaiva ilvalaḥ khasṛmāṃstathā

Translation

Vyaṃśa and Śalya; Balavān and Nabha, greatly powerful; Vātāpi and Namuci; and also Ilvala, and Khasṛmāṃs as well—these are named in sequence.

Word by Word

• vyaṃśaḥ: Vyaṃśa
• vyaṃśaḥ: Karta (Subject list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyaṃśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name

• śalyaḥ: Śalya
• śalyaḥ: Karta (Co-subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śalya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Sam uccaya-nipāta (conjunction)

• balavān: strong
• balavān: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: balavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; guṇavācaka-viśeṣaṇa

• nabhaḥ: Nabhaḥ
• nabhaḥ: Karta (Co-subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nabhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name (Nabhaḥ)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Sam uccaya-nipāta (conjunction)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha-bodhaka (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa-nipāta (emphatic particle)

• mahābalaḥ: very strong
• mahābalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘great in strength’

• vātāpiḥ: Vātāpi
• vātāpiḥ: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vātāpi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name

• namuciḥ: Namuci
• namuciḥ: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: namuci (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Sam uccaya-nipāta (conjunction)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha-bodhaka (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa-nipāta (emphatic particle)

• ilvalaḥ: Ilvala
• ilvalaḥ: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ilvala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name

• khasṛmān: having (the quality of) khasṛ (name/epithet)
• khasṛmān: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: khasṛmant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; -mant adjective

• tathā: also
• tathā: Sambandha-bodhaka (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (adverb), ‘also/likewise’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: genealogical enumeration

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.6 (continued naming of dānava/daitya figures)

Characters & Entities

• Vātāpi
• Namuci
• Ilvala
• Śalya
• Nabha

FAQs

What is the importance of listing these names in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a catalog of specific beings (often understood as demonic or formidable figures) within the chapter’s larger teaching on consequences of actions and the cosmic order associated with Yama’s domain.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

Indirectly: by naming powerful beings connected to the afterlife narrative, it supports the chapter’s broader framework in which the departed soul encounters structured realms and forces governed by dharma and karmic results.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the afterlife descriptions as an ethical warning: cultivate restraint, truthfulness, and dharmic conduct so one’s post-death journey is not shaped by fear and adverse karmic consequences.