Shloka 31

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

ततः शल्यो ययौ योद्धुं धर्मराजेन धीमता / दिनार्धेन हतः शल्यो बाणैर्ज्वलनसन्निभैः

Transliteration

tataḥ śalyo yayau yoddhuṃ dharmarājena dhīmatā / dinārdhena hataḥ śalyo bāṇairjvalanasannibhaiḥ

Translation

అనంతరం శల్యుడు ధీమంతుడైన ధర్మరాజుతో యుద్ధించుటకు వెళ్లెను। అర్ధదినంలోనే అగ్నిసమానమైన బాణాలతో శల్యుడు హతుడయ్యెను।

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; 'then'

• शल्यः: Shalya
• शल्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• योद्धुम्: to fight
• योद्धुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive)

• धर्मराजेन: with/against Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira)
• धर्मराजेन: Sahakari/Pratiyogi (Opponent/सहकारी-प्रतियोगी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कर्मधारय/षष्ठीभाव: धर्मः एव राजा); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• धीमता: wise
• धीमता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण (धर्मराजेन इत्यस्य)

• दिनार्धेन: in half a day
• दिनार्धेन: Kala-adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिन (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: दिनस्य अर्धम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; कालपरिमाण

• हतः: was slain
• हतः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु) → हत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थे 'slain'

• शल्यः: Shalya
• शल्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• बाणैः: by arrows
• बाणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• ज्वलनसन्निभैः: like fire
• ज्वलनसन्निभैः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वलन (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान-तत्पुरुष: ज्वलनस्य सन्निभः); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (बाणैः इत्यस्य)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The swiftness of death in conflict underscores anityatā (impermanence) and the inevitability of karma’s ripening in decisive moments.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā of the body; action and consequence unfolding under kāla.

Application: Do not postpone ethical clarity; cultivate preparedness (inner discipline) because outcomes can arrive suddenly.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: battlefield (kṣetra)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana reflections on kāla (time) and inevitability of death (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Dharmaraja (Yama)
• Śalya

FAQs

What is the importance of Dharmaraja (Yama) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Dharmaraja as an active enforcer of dharma—his power is decisive, symbolized by fire-like arrows that swiftly end opposition, reflecting the inevitability of karmic justice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By portraying Dharmaraja’s irresistible authority, the verse supports the Garuda Purana theme that beings must face judgment and consequences in Yama’s domain; no strength or status can override the moral order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with accountability: align actions with dharma, reduce harm, and cultivate ethical discipline—because consequences are portrayed as swift and unavoidable under the law of karma.