Shloka 26

Brahmā’s Curse, Four Births, and the Dharma of Shared Embodiment

Draupadī/Kṛṣṇā

Devanagari script

विलासं दर्शयामास ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः / अतः सा पार्वाती श्रेष्ठा ब्रह्मदेहे न संशयः

Transliteration

vilāsaṃ darśayāmāsa brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ / ataḥ sā pārvātī śreṣṭhā brahmadehe na saṃśayaḥ

Translation

Nàng đã phô bày līlā—vẻ huy hoàng của cuộc du hí thần linh—trước Brahmā, Đấng Tối Thượng của muôn loài; vì thế Pārvatī ấy là bậc tối thắng—không nghi ngờ gì, nàng thuộc về chính thân thể (bản thể) của Brahmā.

Word by Word

• विलासम्: sport/play
• विलासम्: कर्म (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विलास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• दर्शयामास: showed/caused to be seen
• दर्शयामास: क्रिया (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) [णिच् causative: दर्शय]
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative)

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• परमेष्ठिनः: of the Supreme Lord (epithet of Brahmā)
• परमेष्ठिनः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेष्ठिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; ब्रह्मणः विशेषण/उपनाम

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: हेतु-सम्बन्ध (logical connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/तस्मात्-अर्थ (therefore)

• सा: she
• सा: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पार्वती: Pārvatī
• पार्वती: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• श्रेष्ठा: excellent/supreme
• श्रेष्ठा: विशेषण (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गुणवाचक

• ब्रह्म-देहे: in Brahmā’s body
• ब्रह्म-देहे: अधिकरण (स्थान/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म + देह (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्मणः देहः’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• न: not/no
• न: निषेध (negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: कर्ता/विषय (प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda, Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devī’s manifestation is not merely personal but cosmic—rooted in the very principle of creation (Brahmā-tattva).

Vedantic Theme: Śakti as inseparable from the cosmic function; forms are expressions of underlying tattva; recognition (pratyabhijñā-like) of divine essence.

Application: Cultivate discernment to see divinity in cosmic functions and in transformative power; honor the feminine principle as integral to spiritual life and creation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: divine court

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): Purāṇic cosmology with Brahmā’s realm and divine hierarchies

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Parvati

FAQs

What is the importance of Parvati being called 'brahmadeha' in Garuda Purana?

This verse elevates Pārvatī’s status by identifying her as inseparable from Brahmā’s own essence, underscoring her supreme sanctity and cosmic legitimacy.

How does this verse fit the Garuda Purana narrative style?

In the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue framework, such verses often assert theological hierarchy and divine origins to clarify the standing of deities within creation and cosmic order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the Divine Feminine with reverence—cultivate humility, purity, and devotion, recognizing sacred power as integral to cosmic harmony and ethical living.