Shloka 36

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

युधिष्ठिरः समाश्वास्य स्त्रीजनं शोकसंकुलम् / स्नात्वा सन्तर्प्य देवांश्च पितॄनथ पितामहान्

Transliteration

yudhiṣṭhiraḥ samāśvāsya strījanaṃ śokasaṃkulam / snātvā santarpya devāṃśca pitṝnatha pitāmahān

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira menenangkan kaum wanita yang dilanda dukacita; kemudian baginda mandi dan menurut tatacara mempersembahkan upacara pemuasan kepada para Deva, para Pitṛ, serta para leluhur.

Word by Word

• युधिष्ठिरः: Yudhiṣṭhira
• युधिष्ठिरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधिष्ठिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• समाश्वास्य: having consoled
• समाश्वास्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + श्वस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्तः (gerund/absolutive)

• स्त्री-जनम्: the womenfolk
• स्त्री-जनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (स्त्रीणां जनः)

• शोक-संकुलम्: overwhelmed with grief
• शोक-संकुलम्: Karma qualifier (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोक (प्रातिपदिक) + संकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (स्त्रीजनम्); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शोकेन संकुलम्)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्तः (gerund/absolutive)

• सन्तर्प्य: having satisfied (with offerings)
• सन्तर्प्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + तृप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्तः (gerund/absolutive)

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

• च: and
• च: Connector (Samuccaya/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; समुच्चयबोधक

• पितॄन्: the ancestors (pitṛs)
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

• अथ: then
• अथ: Discourse marker (Sambandha/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; अनुक्रमसूचक

• पितामहान्: the grandfathers/forefathers
• पितामहान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator; not direct Vishnu–Garuda dialogue in this verse)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After calamity/death; following snāna and śauca observance

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śoka is met with dharmic action: consolation (āśvāsana), śauca (snāna), and tarpaṇa to devas and pitṛs—restoring inner and outer order.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: right action amid suffering; purification of mind through prescribed duties.

Application: In bereavement, combine emotional support with grounding rituals/practices (reflection, remembrance, charity) that stabilize the community.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: palace/riverbank for स्नान

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections on śrāddha, tarpaṇa, and pitṛ-kārya (general)

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Devas
• Pitṛs
• Pitāmahas (forefathers)

FAQs

What is the importance of tarpaṇa (satisfying offerings) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames tarpaṇa as a dharmic duty performed after purification (snāna), directed to Devas and Pitṛs to uphold ritual order and support ancestral welfare.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s teaching on post-death rites?

It shows the immediate sequence of responsible conduct after loss—first calming the grieving family, then ritual bathing and performing offerings—reflecting the Purāṇa’s emphasis on orderly śrāddha-oriented practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain compassion and steadiness in bereavement, follow cleanliness/purification norms, and perform ancestral rites (as per one’s tradition) with sincerity rather than haste or neglect.