Shloka 33

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

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

Devanagari script

अश्वत्थामा गतो द्रौणिः सुप्तसैन्यं ततो निशि

Transliteration

aśvatthāmā gato drauṇiḥ suptasainyaṃ tato niśi

Translation

随后，阿湿婆他摩——德罗那之子——于夜间前往那沉睡的军营。

Word by Word

• अश्वत्थामा: Ashvatthama
• अश्वत्थामा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वत्थामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• गतः: went
• गतः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) → गत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि-भावे 'went'

• द्रौणिः: son of Drona
• द्रौणिः: Apposition (सम्बोधन/विशेष्य-विशेषणभाव)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रौणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; अपत्यार्थक-प्रातिपदिक (द्रोणस्य पुत्रः)

• सुप्तसैन्यम्: the sleeping army
• सुप्तसैन्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + सैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (सुप्तं तत् सैन्यम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; 'then/thereafter'

• निशि: at night
• निशि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Night attack on sleeping soldiers signals adharma—violence without fair contest—implying severe karmic burden and moral degradation.

Vedantic Theme: Tamas and adharma as binding forces; ethical lapse deepens saṃsāric bondage.

Application: Do not exploit others’ vulnerability; uphold fairness even when emotionally provoked; recognize that means shape inner character.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: military camp at night

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana papa-karmas leading to painful gati (general parallel); Garuda Purana ethical warnings about हिंसा and deceit (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Aśvatthāmā
• Droṇa

FAQs

What is the importance of Aśvatthāmā’s act in Garuda Purana?

This verse introduces a night assault on an unguarded, sleeping force—an example of adharma used to illustrate how unethical actions generate severe karmic consequences.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by highlighting adharma as a cause, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that sinful intent and violent deeds shape post-death outcomes (fear, suffering, and punitive realms).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid harming the vulnerable and do not justify unethical means for victory; dharmic conduct is treated as the safeguard against long-term karmic harm.