Shloka 12

Adhyaya 81 — Suratha and Samadhi Seek Sage Medhas; Introduction to Mahamaya and the Madhukaitabha Origin Account

Sanskrit

न जाने स प्रधानो मे शूरहस्ती सदामदः ।

मम वैरिवशं यातः कान् भोगानुपलप्स्यते ॥

Transliteration

na jāne sa pradhāno me śūra-hastī sadā-madaḥ |

mama vairi-vaśaṃ yātaḥ kān bhogān upalapsyate ||

Translation

'வீரமும் சதா மதமும் கொண்ட எனது அந்தத் தலைமை யானை, என் எதிரிகளின் வசமாகி இப்போது என்ன சுகங்களை அனுபவிக்கிறதோ நான் அறியேன்.'

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• jāne: I know
• jāne: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• pradhānaḥ: chief minister/leader
• pradhānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (मुख्यः/प्रधानः)

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन (enclitic genitive)

• śūra-hastī: the valiant elephant
• śūra-hastī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक) + hastin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘शूरः हस्ती’ = a valiant elephant

• sadā-madaḥ: always in rut
• sadā-madaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sadā (अव्यय) + mada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (śūra-hastī); अव्ययीभाव: ‘sadā’ + ‘mada’ = always in rut/intoxicated

• mama: of me/my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन

• vairi-vaśam: into the enemy’s control
• vairi-vaśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vairin (प्रातिपदिक) + vaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘vairiṇaḥ vaśaḥ’ = enemy’s control

• yātaḥ: having gone
• yātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (या धातु) + क्त
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (śūra-hastī) ‘having gone’

• kān: which/what
• kān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; प्रश्नवाचक विशेषण (bhogān)

• bhogān: enjoyments/pleasures
• bhogān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• upalapsyate: will obtain
• upalapsyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa- + √labh (लभ् धातु)
• Form: लृट् (भविष्यत्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speakers

• Narrator within the Devi Mahatmyam frame (Suratha’s thoughts)

Shakti Aspects

• Implicit: Mahāmāyā as attachment even to dependent beings/possessions

Key Themes

• Residual attachment
• Compassion mixed with possessiveness
• Worldly concern persisting in exile

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Bondage is subtle: concern extends beyond self to one’s assets and dependents; without discernment, even compassion can be entangled with ‘mine-ness’.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Ancillary narrative (ākhyāna) setting up the central Devi doctrine: why beings remain attached even when reason says they should detach.

What is the esoteric significance?

The ‘chief elephant’ can symbolize pride/royal power or the strongest impulse; when captured by ‘enemies’ (negative tendencies), it is redirected toward inferior ‘bhoga’ rather than dharmic purpose.