Shloka 42

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

यथा धन्वन्तरिर्वंशे जातः क्षीरोदमन्थने / देवादीनां जीवनाय ह्यायुर्वेदमुवाच ह

Transliteration

yathā dhanvantarirvaṃśe jātaḥ kṣīrodamanthane / devādīnāṃ jīvanāya hyāyurvedamuvāca ha

Translation

ക്ഷീരസമുദ്രമഥനത്തിൽ വംശത്തിൽ ധന്വന്തരി ജനിച്ചതുപോലെ, ദേവാദികളുടെ ജീവൻ നിലനിറുത്താൻ അദ്ദേഹം ആയുർവേദം ഉപദേശിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparative connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (adverb/conjunction: as/just as)

• धन्वन्तरिः: Dhanvantari
• धन्वन्तरिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन्वन्तरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वंशे: in the lineage
• वंशे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जातः: born
• जातः: Kriya (Predicative participle)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘born’

• क्षीरोदमन्थने: at the churning of the Milk Ocean
• क्षीरोदमन्थने: Adhikarana (Context/occasion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर + उद + मन्थन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘क्षीर-उद’ = क्षीरसमुद्रः; ‘क्षीरोद-मन्थन’ = क्षीरोदस्य मन्थनम्

• देवादीनाम्: of the gods and others
• देवादीनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + आदि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• जीवनाय: for (their) life/sustenance
• जीवनाय: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवन (प्रातिपदिक; भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रयोजन-दत्तिव (dative of purpose)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक

• आयुर्वेदम्: Āyurveda
• आयुर्वेदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् + वेद (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘आयुर्-वेद’ = आयुषः वेदः (science of life)

• उवाच: said/taught
• उवाच: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ह: indeed (particle)
• ह: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पदपूरण/अनुस्मारक (expletive particle)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Preservation of life is a sacred aim; healing knowledge is a divine transmission meant for loka-hita (welfare of beings).

Vedantic Theme: Body as instrument for dharma and sādhana; compassionate action (seva) aligned with Īśvara’s sustaining aspect (sthiti).

Application: Honor health as dharmic responsibility: pursue ethical medicine, preventive living, and compassionate care for others.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic ocean

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145.43 (śravaṇa-phala of hearing these accounts)

Characters & Entities

• Dhanvantari
• Kṣīroda (Ocean of Milk)
• Devas
• Āyurveda

FAQs

What is the importance of Dhanvantari in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Dhanvantari as a divinely manifested physician connected with the Milk Ocean churning, emphasizing Āyurveda as a sacred teaching meant to sustain life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by highlighting life-preserving knowledge (Āyurveda), it supports dharmic living and longevity, which in Garuda Purana’s framework helps one fulfill duties before facing death and post-death journeys.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat health-care and disciplined living as part of dharma—supporting longevity, clarity, and the ability to perform righteous duties.