Shloka 35

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

Draupadī/Kṛṣṇā

Devanagari script

यस्याः स्वभर्तृसंयोगकाले च खगसत्तम / अभिमानस्तदैव स्यात्तस्या एव न चान्यथा

Transliteration

yasyāḥ svabhartṛsaṃyogakāle ca khagasattama / abhimānastadaiva syāttasyā eva na cānyathā

Translation

Hỡi bậc tối thắng trong loài chim, ngay đúng lúc người nữ kết hợp với chính phu quân của mình, ý thức ‘ta’ (abhimāna) chỉ khởi lên nơi nàng mà thôi, tuyệt chẳng theo cách nào khác.

Word by Word

• यस्याः: of whom/whose
• यस्याः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; सम्बन्धार्थक सर्वनाम

• स्व-भर्तृ-संयोग-काले: at the time of union with her own husband
• स्व-भर्तृ-संयोग-काले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक) + संयोग (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (स्वस्य भर्तुः संयोगस्य कालः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and)

• खग-सत्तम: O best of birds
• खग-सत्तम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (vocative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (खगानां सत्तमः)

• अभिमानः: self-identification/pride
• अभिमानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक (then)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (indeed/only)

• स्यात्: would be
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘may be/should be’

• तस्याः: of her
• तस्याः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• एव: only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (only)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (not)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and)

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (otherwise)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ahaṃkāra/abhimāna is context-dependent and can arise specifically with relational contact; identity-sense is triggered by saṃyoga (association).

Vedantic Theme: Saṅga (association) as a cause for adhyāsa; the ‘I’-sense is a vṛtti arising in mind under particular conditions.

Application: Notice how ego and possessiveness intensify with attachment; practice mindful detachment and clarity in relationships.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.17.34 (contrast of abhimāna across beings); Garuda Purana 3.17.36-38 (exceptions: sleep/dream-like states; dual abhimāna)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of abhimāna (ego-sense) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights abhimāna as the key self-identifying impulse that ‘takes hold’ at a decisive karmic moment, supporting the Purana’s broader teaching that rebirth and experience depend on subtle psychological identification.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey and rebirth?

By pointing to a specific moment when self-identification arises, the verse aligns with the Garuda Purana’s model in which karmic continuity operates through subtle tendencies (like abhimāna) that condition embodiment and future experience.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivating awareness of ego-driven identification—through restraint, ethical conduct, and self-inquiry—reduces impulsive attachment and supports dharmic living, which the Garuda Purana links to better post-death and rebirth outcomes.