Shloka 18

Adhyaya 18 — Arjuna Declines the Throne; Garga Directs Him to Dattatreya; The Gods Defeat the Daityas through Dattatreya’s Vision and the Movement of Lakshmi

Sanskrit

विप्रचित्तिमुखैर्देवा दानवैस्ते पराजिताः ।

पलायनकृतोत्साहा निरुत्साहा द्विषज्जये ॥

Transliteration

vipracittimukhair devā dānavair te parājitāḥ |

palāyanakṛtotsāhā nirutsāhā dviṣajjaye ||

Translation

Para dewa ditewaskan oleh kaum Dānava yang dipimpin Vipracitti. Keberanian mereka berubah menjadi pelarian semata-mata; mereka menjadi tawar hati di hadapan kemenangan musuh.

Word by Word

विप्रचित्ति-मुखैःby the leaders headed by Vipracitti

देवाःthe gods

दानवैःby the Dānavas (demons)

तेthey (those gods)

पराजिताःdefeated

पलायन-कृत-उत्साहाःwhose resolve was set on fleeing

निरुत्साहाःdiscouraged, without enthusiasm

द्विषत्-जयेin the victory over enemies

Speakers

Narrator voice (contextual narration; explicit speaker not marked in this verse)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "karuna", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Primary Deities

Devas (collective)

Key Themes

Deva–Asura warfareLoss of sovereigntySeeking remedial counsel

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Power and fortune are shown as unstable: even devas can fall into despair when dharma-supporting order is overwhelmed. The text sets up the dharmic response—not mere panic, but seeking right counsel and a lawful means to restore balance.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

This is not sarga/pratisarga proper; it aligns best with ‘manvantara/vaṃśānucarita’-type narrative material (itihāsa-like episodes illustrating cosmic governance and conflict), serving as contextual history within the Purāṇic flow.

What is the esoteric significance?

The devas’ ‘nirutsāha’ symbolizes the mind’s collapse when confronted by overpowering vāsanās (asuric forces). The coming turn toward a guru-like figure (Dattātreya) indicates restoration through higher wisdom rather than brute reaction.