Shloka 19

इन्द्र-प्रायश्चित्तं, कृष्णाभिषेकः, गोविन्द-नामप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

जानामि भारते वंशे जातं पार्थं तवांशकम् तम् अहं पालयिष्यामि यावत् स्थास्यामि भूतले

Transliteration

jānāmi bhārate vaṃśe jātaṃ pārthaṃ tavāṃśakam tam ahaṃ pālayiṣyāmi yāvat sthāsyāmi bhūtale

Translation

Je sais que dans la lignée de Bharata est né Pārtha, une part de ton propre être. Tant que je demeurerai sur la terre, je le soutiendrai et le protégerai.

Word by Word

जानामिI know

भारतेin the Bharata (lineage)

वंशेin the dynasty

जातम्born

पार्थम्Pārtha (Arjuna)

तवांशकम्your portion/partial incarnation

तम्him

अहम्I

पालयिष्यामिwill protect

यावत्as long as, until

स्थास्यामिI will remain

भूतलेon the earth

Speaker

A protective sovereign/guardian figure within the dynastic narrative (spoken as a vow of guardianship toward Pārtha/Arjuna; framed by Parāśara’s narration to Maitreya)

Characters & Entities

Bharata dynasty (Bhārata-vaṁśa)

Pārtha (Arjuna)

FAQs

What is the significance of calling Pārtha an “aṁśa” in the Vishnu Purana?

It frames Arjuna as divinely empowered—an embodied “portion” linked to a higher source—supporting the Purana’s theme that dharma is upheld through beings invested with sacred potency.

How does the Vishnu Purana present kingship and protection in this verse?

Protection (pālana) is portrayed as a solemn vow tied to sovereignty: the ruler/guardian’s legitimacy is expressed through sustaining a righteous figure within the sacred dynasty.

What is the theological importance of Vishnu in this context of lineage and protection?

Even when Vishnu is not named explicitly, the logic of aṁśa and providential guardianship aligns with Vaishnava theology: the Supreme Reality ensures cosmic and social order by empowering and protecting dharma-bearing agents.