Shloka 22

साम्ब-हरणम्, बलदेवस्य रोषः, हस्तिनापुर-आकर्षणम्

Devanagari script

उवाच चातिताम्राक्षो भृकुटीकुटिलाननः

Transliteration

uvāca cātitāmrākṣo bhṛkuṭīkuṭilānanaḥ

Translation

Then he spoke—his eyes were fiercely reddened, and his face was twisted by a knotted, furrowed brow.

Word by Word

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• atitāmrākṣaḥ: the one with very copper-red eyes
• atitāmrākṣaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ati (अव्यय) + tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अतिताम्रे अक्षिणी यस्य/अतिताम्राणि अक्षीणि), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• bhṛkuṭīkuṭilānanaḥ: he whose face is contorted with a frown
• bhṛkuṭīkuṭilānanaḥ: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhṛkuṭī (प्रातिपदिक) + kuṭila (प्रातिपदिक) + ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (भृकुट्या कुटिलम् आननं यस्य), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator (Sage Parāśara) describing a character’s speech in the dynastic story (the specific speaker is the red-eyed, frowning figure referenced by the verse).

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: To confront adharma with righteous force and compel the restoration of lawful rule.

Leela: Yuddha

Dharma Restored: Moral order expressed as humility before rightful authority and restraint of tyrannical pride.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Krishna

FAQs

What is the significance of describing a speaker’s eyes and expression in the Vishnu Purana?

Such cues set the emotional and ethical tone of the scene—often signaling anger, conflict, or a consequential decision within the dynastic narrative.

How does Sage Parāśara structure dialogue in the Vishnu Purana?

He frequently uses compact markers like “uvāca” and brief physical descriptions to transition into direct speech, maintaining a fast-moving genealogical storyline.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even in dynasty-focused passages, the Purana frames kingship and fate under cosmic order sustained by Vishnu, implying that moral outcomes unfold within His overarching sovereignty.