Shloka 24

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

Brahmā’s Synopsis of the Epic and the Logic of Divine Descents

Devanagari script

एकादशभिरुद्युक्ता युक्ता दुर्योधनादयः / आसीद्युद्धं संकुलं च देवासुररणोपमम्

Transliteration

ekādaśabhirudyuktā yuktā duryodhanādayaḥ / āsīdyuddhaṃ saṃkulaṃ ca devāsuraraṇopamam

Translation

ಹನ್ನೊಂದು ವ್ಯೂಹಗಳಿಂದ ಸನ್ನದ್ಧರಾದ ದುರ್ಯೋಧನಾದಿಗಳು ಯುದ್ಧಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರವೃತ್ತರಾದರು. ಆಗ ಸಮರವು ಗಾಢವೂ ಗೊಂದಲಮಯವೂ ಆಗಿ, ದೇವಾಸುರರ ಯುದ್ಧದಂತೆ ತೋರ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತು.

Word by Word

• ekādaśabhiḥ: with eleven (persons)
• ekādaśabhiḥ: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekādaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (गणनाशब्दः), तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचनम्; द्विगुसमासः (eka+daśa)

• udyuktāḥ: engaged, ready
• udyuktāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udyukta (कृदन्त; √yuj (युज्) + उद् उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्

• yuktāḥ: joined, arrayed
• yuktāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yukta (कृदन्त; √yuj (युज्), क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्

• duryodhana-ādayaḥ: Duryodhana and others
• duryodhana-ādayaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duryodhana (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचनम्; ‘-आदयः’ (ādi-प्रत्ययवत्) समूहवाचकः

• āsīt: was
• āsīt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (अस्)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• yuddham: battle
• yuddham: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचनम्

• saṃkulam: crowded, confused
• saṃkulam: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃkula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (yuddham)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः (conjunction)

• deva-asura-raṇa-upamam: like the battle of gods and demons
• deva-asura-raṇa-upamam: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + asura (प्रातिपदिक) + raṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषसमासः; उपमावाचकं विशेषणम् (yuddham)

Speaker

Unclear from provided excerpt (not identifiable as Vishnu–Garuda dialogue from this single verse)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Worldly conflict mirrors cosmic struggle; human war becomes a stage for dharma’s contest.

Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha and the play of guṇas in collective karma; the battlefield as a crucible for svadharma.

Application: Recognize escalation and chaos as consequences of collective choices; cultivate discernment and restraint even amid competition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: battlefield

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (1.145) Mahābhārata-kathā sequence: lead-up to Bhīṣma’s fall and liberation themes

Characters & Entities

• Duryodhana
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

What is the significance of comparing battle to a Deva–Asura war?

It emphasizes the scale, intensity, and cosmic-like ferocity of the conflict—so overwhelming that it resembles mythic wars between divine and demonic forces.

What does 'with eleven' refer to in this verse?

It indicates an arrangement or readiness involving eleven units/divisions (commonly understood as military formations or groupings), highlighting organized mobilization before the clash.

Practical application of this verse today?

It can be read as a reminder that collective conflicts quickly become chaotic; therefore, discipline, restraint, and dharmic decision-making are essential before entering any confrontation.