Shloka 20

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

सधौम्या द्रौपदीषष्ठा मुनिवृन्दाभिसंवृताः

Transliteration

sadhaumyā draupadīṣaṣṭhā munivṛndābhisaṃvṛtāḥ

Translation

धौम्येन सह द्रौपदीषष्ठाः, मुनिवृन्दैः समन्तात् संवृताः।

Word by Word

• सधौम्याः: together with Dhaumya
• सधौम्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + धौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभावः ‘सह धौम्येन’ (with Dhaumya)

• द्रौपदीषष्ठाः: with Draupadī as the sixth (i.e., the five plus Draupadī)
• द्रौपदीषष्ठाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्रौपदी + षष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (द्रौपदी षष्ठी यस्य/येषाम्) ‘having Draupadī as the sixth’

• मुनिवृन्दाभिसंवृताः: surrounded by groups of sages
• मुनिवृन्दाभिसंवृताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुनि + वृन्द + अभि + √वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त) ‘संवृत’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘मुनिवृन्दैः अभिसंवृताः’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Association with sages stabilizes conduct and preserves dharma amid संकट; spiritual counsel is a practical shield.

Vedantic Theme: Satsaṅga and śāstra-guided living purify the mind (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi), preparing for right action.

Application: Seek wise mentors; build communities that reinforce ethics during crisis; consult tradition/values before major decisions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: forest hermitage/itinerant camp (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring praise of satsaṅga, brāhmaṇa-sevā, and guru-guidance in dharma-oriented passages (thematic).

Characters & Entities

• Dhaumya
• Draupadi
• Munis (sages)

FAQs

What is the importance of sages (munis) in the Garuda Purana’s teachings?

This verse highlights the presence of muni-vṛndas as authoritative witnesses and transmitters of dharma, framing the narrative in a sanctified, teaching-oriented setting.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey here; rather, it sets a narrative scene with revered figures, which typically precedes or legitimizes subsequent moral or spiritual instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek guidance from learned teachers and authentic traditions when studying death rites, dharma, and spiritual discipline—knowledge is best received in the company of the wise.