Shloka 29

Brahmā’s Curse, Four Births, and the Dharma of Shared Embodiment

Draupadī/Kṛṣṇā

Devanagari script

विसृज्य ताश्च तं देहं बभूवुर्नलकन्यकाः / इन्द्रसेनेति संज्ञां च लब्ध्वा ताश्च तपोवनम्

Transliteration

visṛjya tāśca taṃ dehaṃ babhūvurnalakanyakāḥ / indraseneti saṃjñāṃ ca labdhvā tāśca tapovanam

Translation

Casting off that body, the maidens of Nala were transformed; and, having obtained the name “Indrasenā,” they too went to the forest hermitage devoted to tapas (austerity).

Word by Word

• visṛjya: having released/abandoned
• visṛjya: Purvakalika Kriya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sṛj (सृज्) with vi (वि)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive)

• tāḥ: they (those women)
• tāḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• tam: that
• tam: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Singular

• deham: body
• deham: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deha (देह)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Singular

• babhūvuḥ: became
• babhūvuḥ: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Prathama Purusha, Plural

• nalakanyakāḥ: daughters of Nala
• nalakanyakāḥ: Kartri-Samanadhikarana (Complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nalakanyakā (नलकन्यका)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Plural

• indrasenā: Indrasena
• indrasenā: Karma (Object of naming)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indrasenā (इन्द्रसेना)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Singular (used with iti)

• iti: thus (named)
• iti: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (इति)
• Form: Particle

• saṃjñām: name/designation
• saṃjñām: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃjñā (संज्ञा)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (Dvitiya), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• labdhvā: having obtained
• labdhvā: Purvakalika Kriya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: labh (लभ्)
• Form: Ktva Pratyaya (Absolutive)

• tāḥ: they
• tāḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (Prathama), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• tapovanam: penance grove
• tapovanam: Karma (Destination)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapovana (तपोवन)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (Dvitiya), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Embodiment and identity can shift as karmic conditions ripen; tapas redirects the trajectory of the jiva.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatva of deha-nama-rupa; the self is distinct from changing upadhis.

Application: Cultivate vairagya toward body-based identity and adopt disciplines (tapas, vrata, japa) that reorient character and destiny.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ashrama/forest

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.17 (narrative on transformations and naming)

Characters & Entities

• Indrasena
• Nalakanyakas
• Tapovana

FAQs

What is the importance of abandoning the body in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents “casting off the body” as a decisive transition—signaling a completed phase of embodied identity and the start of a new spiritual or karmic trajectory.

How does this verse explain transformation or rebirth?

It depicts a change of state: after leaving the prior body, the figures are described as ‘becoming’ something new and even receiving a new name (Indrasenā), indicating a renewed identity shaped by destiny and discipline.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate detachment from ego-based identity and commit to disciplined practice (tapas)—regular vows, restraint, study, and service—so inner transformation can occur even while living.