Shloka 24

Hari’s Avatāras and the Cosmic Power of Pativratā-Dharma

Devanagari script

ततः सूर्योदयाभावाद भवत्सततं निशा / बहून्यब्दप्रमाणानि ततो देवा भयं ययुः

Transliteration

tataḥ sūryodayābhāvāda bhavatsatataṃ niśā / bahūnyabdapramāṇāni tato devā bhayaṃ yayuḥ

Translation

ครั้นแล้วเพราะสุริยะมิได้อุทัย ราตรีอันไม่ขาดสายก็ปกคลุมต่อเนื่องยาวนานนับปี; เหล่าเทวะจึงถูกความหวาดกลัวครอบงำ।

Word by Word

• ततः: then/therefore
• ततः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण) = indeclinable adverb; अर्थे: तस्मात्/तदनन्तरम् (therefore/then)

• सूर्योदयाभावात्: from the absence of sunrise
• सूर्योदयाभावात्: Apadana (Cause/Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + उदय (प्रातिपदिक) + अभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः/उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: सूर्यस्य उदयः = सूर्योदयः; सूर्योदयस्य अभावः = सूर्योदयाभावः; तस्मात् (from the absence of sunrise)

• भवत्: of you (all)
• भवत्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; ‘भवताम्’ इत्यर्थे (of you all)

• सततम्: constantly
• सततम्: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण) = indeclinable adverb; नित्यं/सर्वदा (constantly)

• निशा: night
• निशा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• बहूनि: many
• बहूनि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying)

• अब्दप्रमाणानि: (periods) measured in years
• अब्दप्रमाणानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: अब्दस्य प्रमाणम् = अब्दप्रमाणम् (measured in years)

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण) = indeclinable adverb; तस्मात्/तदनन्तरम् (thereupon)

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• ययुः: went/experienced (came to)
• ययुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When cosmic order (ṛta) is obstructed, even devas experience fear; stability of the world depends on dharma-aligned forces.

Vedantic Theme: Interdependence of cosmic functions (adhidaiva) and worldly welfare (adhyātma/adhibhūta) under the governance of dharma.

Application: Treat persistent ‘darkness’ (social/inner disorder) as a call to restore right order through ethical action, prayer, and seeking wise counsel rather than panic.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Brahma-khanda) narratives on cosmic disturbance and restoration of order; Garuda Purana themes praising satī/pativratā-śakti as world-protective

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that when the regular cosmic rhythm—like sunrise—fails, even the Devas become fearful, highlighting that stability of the world depends on maintained order.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it frames a broader teaching context where disruption of order leads to fear and suffering, preparing the listener for later explanations of consequences and the need for dharma and proper rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat daily discipline and dharmic conduct as safeguards of inner order—when routine and ethics collapse, anxiety rises; restoring regularity and right action reduces fear.