Shloka 17

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

स तेन धनुषा वीरः पाण्डवो जातवेदसम् / कृष्णद्वितीयो बीभत्सुरतर्पयत वीर्यवान्

Transliteration

sa tena dhanuṣā vīraḥ pāṇḍavo jātavedasam / kṛṣṇadvitīyo bībhatsuratarpayata vīryavān

Translation

ด้วยคันศรนั้น วีรบุรุษปาณฑวะคือบีภัตสุ ผู้ทรงเดชและมีพระกฤษณะเป็นสหาย ได้ยังชาตเวทัส (พระอัคนี) ให้พอพระทัยด้วยวีรกรรมของตน

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• तेन: with that
• तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम; ‘तेन धनुषा’ इत्यत्र सहप्रयोग

• धनुषा: with the bow
• धनुषा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• वीरः: the hero
• वीरः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपाधि/विशेष्य-सम्बन्ध

• पाण्डवः: the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna)
• पाण्डवः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अर्जुन-पर्याय

• जातवेदसम्: Jātavedas (Agni)
• जातवेदसम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जातवेदस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अग्नि-नाम

• कृष्णद्वितीयः: having Kṛṣṇa as his second (companion)
• कृष्णद्वितीयः: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कृष्णः द्वितीयः यस्य सः (बहुव्रीहिः); विशेषणम् (सः/अर्जुनः)

• बीभत्सुः: Bībhatsu (Arjuna)
• बीभत्सुः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीभत्सु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अर्जुनस्य उपनाम

• अतर्पयत्: satisfied/pleased
• अतर्पयत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तृप् (धातु) (causative: तर्पय-)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

• वीर्यवान्: mighty/valorous
• वीर्यवान्: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (सः/अर्जुनः)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration within Garuḍa Purāṇa; not direct Vishnu–Garuḍa dialogue in this verse)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Service to the divine can occur through one’s svadharma; companionship with Kṛṣṇa aligns action with higher purpose.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: action offered beyond ego; divine partnership as grace guiding duty.

Application: Do your role with excellence while dedicating outcomes to a higher good; seek wise companionship that steadies intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: forest

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145.16–17 (divine weapons leading to Agni’s satisfaction)

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna (Bībhatsu)
• Krishna
• Agni (Jātavedas)

FAQs

What is the importance of propitiating Agni (Jātavedas) in the Garuḍa Purāṇa context?

This verse highlights Agni as a divine witness and receiver of offerings; satisfying Agni symbolizes aligning action (vīrya) with dharma and sacred order.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or afterlife themes found in Garuḍa Purāṇa?

Indirectly, it reinforces that right action and proper propitiation of devas uphold cosmic law—an underlying basis for later Garuḍa Purāṇa teachings on karma and post-death consequences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform duties with integrity and reverence for sacred processes (e.g., fire rituals or daily discipline), understanding that sincere, dharmic effort is itself a form of offering.