Shloka 30

Adhyaya 2 — The Lineage of Garuda and the Birth of the Wise Birds: Kanka and Kandhara

Sanskrit

कन्धरस्य च सा वेश्म प्राप्येच्छारूपधारिणी ।

मेनकातनया सुभ्रूः सौपर्णं रूपमाददे ॥

Transliteration

kandharasya ca sā veśma prāpyecchārūpadhāriṇī | menakātanayā subhrūḥ sauparṇaṁ rūpam ādade ||

Translation

カンダラーの住まいに至ると、彼女――意のままに姿を変え得る者、メーナカーの美しき眉の娘――は、ガルダ（Garuḍa）に似た鳥の姿を取った。

Word by Word

• कन्धरस्य: of Kandhara
• कन्धरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वेश्म: the house; dwelling
• वेश्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्राप्य: having reached
• प्राप्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund), ‘having reached/obtained’

• इच्छारूपधारिणी: assuming forms at will
• इच्छारूपधारिणी: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इच्छा + रूप + धारिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष-भावः ‘इच्छया रूपं धारयति’ (one who assumes forms at will)

• मेनकातनया: Menakā’s daughter
• मेनकातनया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेनका + तनया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मेनकायाः तनया)

• सुभ्रूः: fair-browed
• सुभ्रूः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + भ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सुन्दराः भ्रुवः यस्याः)

• सौपर्णम्: bird-like; Garuḍa-like
• सौपर्णम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुपर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तद्धित (सौपर्ण = pertaining to Garuḍa/bird-like)

• रूपम्: form
• रूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आददे: assumed; took on
• आददे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speakers

• Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator continuing the episode); not within the Devi Māhātmya frame

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Transformation (kāmarūpatā)
• Apsaras/Divine nymph narratives
• Illusion and adopted forms (māyā-like motif)

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse highlights kāmarūpatā—mastery over appearance and identity. Ethically, it cautions that outward form can be deliberately constructed; discernment (viveka) should rely on conduct and intent rather than mere appearance.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

This is best classed under Vaṁśānucarita/Carita (narratives connected with lineages and notable episodes), rather than sarga/pratisarga/manvantara. It supports the Purāṇic function of illustrating character and event within a broader genealogical-epic tapestry.

What is the esoteric significance?

Assuming a ‘sauparṇa’ (Garuḍa-like) form can symbolize swift movement, dominion over obstacles, and the power to traverse realms. Esoterically, it can be read as the mind’s capacity to ‘take form’ through saṅकल्प (intention), underscoring how will (icchā) shapes perceived reality.