Shloka 11

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

दग्धा जतुगृहे वीरास्ते मुक्ताः स्वधियामलाः

Transliteration

dagdhā jatugṛhe vīrāste muktāḥ svadhiyāmalāḥ

Translation

లాక్షాగృహంలో దహింపబడిన ఆ వీరులు, తమ స్వచ్ఛమైన వివేకంతో ఆపద నుండి విముక్తులయ్యారు.

Word by Word

• दग्धाः: burnt
• दग्धाः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दह् (धातु) → दग्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (वीराः)

• जतुगृहे: in the lac-house
• जतुगृहे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जतु (प्रातिपदिक) + गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• वीराः: heroes
• वीराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• मुक्ताः: freed/escaped
• मुक्ताः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुच् (धातु) → मुक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (ते)

• स्वधिया: by their own intelligence
• स्वधिया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; साधन/करण

• अमलाः: unstained/pure
• अमलाः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (ते/वीराः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrative voice addressing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śuddha-dhī (pure discernment) as a liberating power in crisis; clarity overcomes engineered danger.

Vedantic Theme: Buddhi as an instrument; sattva enables right perception and timely action, reducing bondage to भय (fear).

Application: In emergencies, stabilize the mind, assess clearly, and act decisively; cultivate sattvic habits that sharpen discernment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: town/constructed house (jatugṛha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145.10 (cause of hostility); Garuda Purana 1.145.12-13 (subsequent wanderings and victories)

FAQs

What is the importance of svadhi (one’s own discernment) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that clear, pure discernment (svadhi amala) can become the immediate cause of being freed from danger and confusion, reinforcing the Purana’s emphasis on dharmic intelligence as a protector.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Although not directly describing after-death geography here, it points to inner purity and right understanding as the force that ‘releases’ one—an idea consistent with the Garuda Purana’s broader linkage between purity, right action, and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate calm, ethical decision-making under pressure; purify intentions and judgment through study, reflection, and self-control so that discernment—not panic—guides action.