Shloka 37

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

आश्वासितो ऽथ भीष्मेण राज्यञ्चैवाकरोन्महत् / विष्णुमीजे ऽश्वमेधेन विधिवद्दक्षिणावता

Transliteration

āśvāsito 'tha bhīṣmeṇa rājyañcaivākaronmahat / viṣṇumīje 'śvamedhena vidhivaddakṣiṇāvatā

Translation

अथ भीष्मेण आश्वासितः स महान् राज्यं चकार; विधिवत् दक्षिणावता अश्वमेधेन विष्णुम् ईजे।

Word by Word

• आश्वासितः: having been consoled
• आश्वासितः: Karta (Subject in passive sense/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + श्वस् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकाले क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्तः (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

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

• भीष्मेण: by Bhīṣma
• भीष्मेण: Karana (Agent-instrument in passive/कर्तृकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, तृतीया, एकवचनम्

• राज्यम्: kingdom, rule
• राज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (Avadharana/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; अवधारणार्थक (emphatic particle)

• अकरोत्: made, performed
• अकरोत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• महत्: great
• महत्: Karma qualifier (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (राज्यम्)

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• ईजे: worshipped, sacrificed to
• ईजे: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• अश्वमेधेन: by the Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice)
• अश्वमेधेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + मेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, तृतीया, एकवचनम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अश्वस्य मेधः)

• विधिवत्: according to the prescribed rite
• विधिवत्: Manner (Prakara/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययम्; क्रियाविशेषणम् (according to rule)

• दक्षिणा-वताः: with (proper) sacrificial fees
• दक्षिणा-वताः: Karana qualifier (करणविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, तृतीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (अश्वमेधेन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (दक्षिणाभिः युक्तः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rājadharma is sanctified by devotion: sovereignty and success are offered to Viṣṇu through yajña and dakṣiṇā, aligning power with dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-arpita karma (offering of action to the Lord); governance as service, not ego.

Application: Exercise leadership with accountability, generosity, and spiritual orientation; dedicate outcomes to a higher ethical principle.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: royal court and ritual arena

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana teachings on Viṣṇu-pūjā, dāna, and yajña as purifying acts (general)

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Vishnu
• Ashvamedha

FAQs

What is the importance of Aśvamedha and dakṣiṇā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that Vedic rites bear fruit when done विधिवत् (according to injunction) and with proper dakṣiṇā, framing sacrifice as disciplined worship of Viṣṇu rather than mere display.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

Indirectly, it points to the accumulation of puṇya through dharmic rule and properly performed yajña—merit that the Garuda Purana often connects with favorable post-death outcomes and higher destinations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform spiritual practices with correctness, sincerity, and ethical giving—supporting teachers, temples, and charity—while fulfilling one’s responsibilities (svadharma) without neglect.