Shloka 37

Brahmā’s Curse, Four Births, and the Dharma of Shared Embodiment

Draupadī/Kṛṣṇā

Devanagari script

पार्थस्य रमणे काले द्रौपद्याश्च कलेवरे / भारत्याश्च तथा शच्या अभिमानद्वयं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

pārthasya ramaṇe kāle draupadyāśca kalevare / bhāratyāśca tathā śacyā abhimānadvayaṃ smṛtam

Translation

Памятуется, что во время соединения Партхи было двойное отождествление (абхимана): одно — с телом Драупади, и также другое — с Бхарати и Шачи.

Word by Word

• पार्थस्य: of Pārtha (Arjuna)
• पार्थस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• रमणे: in union/enjoyment
• रमणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रमण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• काले: at the time
• काले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• द्रौपद्याः: of Draupadī
• द्रौपद्याः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रौपदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• कलेवरे: in the body
• कलेवरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलेवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• भारत्-याः: of Bhāratī
• भारत्-याः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक (likewise/also)

• शच्या: by/with Śacī
• शच्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शची (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/instrumental), एकवचन; (पाठभेदः सम्भवः: शच्याः षष्ठी)

• अभिमान-द्वयम्: the twofold identification
• अभिमान-द्वयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिमान (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (द्वौ अभिमानौ)

• स्मृतम्: is stated
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त, कर्मणि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘is said/remembered’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Multiple concurrent identifications can operate (body-based and deity/energy-based), indicating layered agency and complex superimposition.

Vedantic Theme: Anātma layers and superimposition: deha-abhimāna plus subtle presiding-identifications; plurality of upādhis producing apparent multiplicity.

Application: Recognize layered identities (body, role, social persona, inner impulses) and disentangle them through self-inquiry to reduce confusion and reactivity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: royal/domestic chamber (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.17.34 (Bhāratī’s distinct abhimāna); Garuda Purana 3.17.35 (abhimāna arising in union); Garuda Purana 3.17.38 (sleep/dream framing for other cases)

Characters & Entities

• Partha (Arjuna)
• Draupadi
• Bharati
• Sachi (Indrani)

FAQs

What is the importance of abhimāna (identification) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights abhimāna as the mind’s act of “claiming” a body or role; such identification is a key cause of bondage and karmic entanglement discussed in Purāṇic teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By pointing to abhimāna—attachment and self-notion tied to bodies and identities—the verse implies what must be loosened for the soul’s clearer passage beyond embodied states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate awareness that roles, relationships, and bodily states are transient; reduce possessiveness and ego-claims, and practice devotion and self-discipline to weaken binding identification.