Shloka 5

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

शन्तनोः सत्यवत्यां च द्वौ पुत्रौ संबभूवतुः / चित्राङ्गदन्तु गन्धर्वः पुत्रं चित्राङ्गदो ऽवधीत्

Transliteration

śantanoḥ satyavatyāṃ ca dvau putrau saṃbabhūvatuḥ / citrāṅgadantu gandharvaḥ putraṃ citrāṅgado 'vadhīt

Translation

శంతనునికి సత్యవతికి ఇద్దరు కుమారులు జన్మించిరి; అయితే గంధర్వుడు చిత్రాంగదుని కుమారుని వధించెను।

Word by Word

• शन्तनोः: of Śantanu
• शन्तनोः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शन्तनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• सत्यवत्याम्: in/with Satyavatī
• सत्यवत्याम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्यवती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषण (numeral adjective)

• पुत्रौ: sons
• पुत्रौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• संबभूवतुः: were born/came to be
• संबभूवतुः: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु) + सम् (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लिट्/परिपूर्णभूत (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), द्विवचन; परस्मैपद

• चित्राङ्गदः: Citrāṅgada
• चित्राङ्गदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्राङ्गद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: however/indeed
• तु: Sambandha-bodhaka (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• गन्धर्वः: a Gandharva
• गन्धर्वः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुत्रम्: the son
• पुत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• चित्राङ्गदः: Citrāṅgada
• चित्राङ्गदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्राङ्गद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अवधीत्: killed
• अवधीत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वध् (धातु) + अव (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda, context-dependent within the chapter)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Anityatā (impermanence) and the vulnerability of worldly prosperity, even in royal houses.

Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra’s instability; events unfold under prārabdha-karma beyond human control.

Application: Hold success and family pride with humility; prepare for reversals; cultivate inner steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: kingdom/capital

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145 (Kuru genealogy sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Śantanu
• Satyavatī
• Citrāṅgada
• Gandharva

FAQs

What is the importance of Śantanu and Satyavatī’s lineage in the Garuda Purana?

This verse situates the narrative within a well-known royal genealogy, using Itihāsa-linked lineages to anchor teachings and contextual episodes in the Purana.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This specific verse is primarily genealogical and narrative; it does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey, but it contributes to the broader Purāṇic storytelling framework in which ethical and spiritual teachings are embedded.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat traditional narratives as context for dharma-based reflection—family lineage, duty, and consequences of conflict—while focusing on ethical conduct and restraint in one’s own life.