Shloka 20

Nītisāra: Virtuous Association, Household Dharma, and Kāla (Time) as the Supreme Regulator

Devanagari script

सततं धर्मबहुला सततं च पतिप्रिया / सततं प्रियवक्री च सततं त्वृतुकामिनी

Transliteration

satataṃ dharmabahulā satataṃ ca patipriyā / satataṃ priyavakrī ca satataṃ tvṛtukāminī

Translation

هي على الدوام غنية بالدَّرْمَا، وعلى الدوام محبّة لزوجها؛ وعلى الدوام عذبة اللسان، وعلى الدوام راغبة في موسمها اللائق.

Word by Word

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• धर्मबहुला: abounding in righteousness
• धर्मबहुला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + बहुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (धर्मे बहुला/धर्मबहुला = full of dharma)

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पतिप्रिया: dear to her husband
• पतिप्रिया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (पतेः प्रिया)

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• प्रियवक्री: pleasant-faced / with pleasing expression
• प्रियवक्री: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय + वक्रिन्/वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—कर्मधारय (प्रियं वक्रं/प्रियवक्रा—pleasant-faced/pleasant in expression; पाठभेद-संभावना)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधसूचक (particle: but/indeed)

• ऋतुकामिनी: desirous at the proper season
• ऋतुकामिनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऋतु + कामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (ऋतौ कामिनी = desirous in season; i.e., sexually receptive at proper time)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Integration of dharma and kāma: affection and intimacy are praised when aligned with propriety (ṛtu) and fidelity.

Vedantic Theme: Regulated desire (niyama) transforms kāma into a supportive force for harmony rather than bondage; sattvic ordering of life.

Application: Balance affection with responsibility; honor consent, health, and appropriate timing; keep speech kind and intentions dharmic.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108.18-19, 1.108.21-22 (virtues/faults sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma-centered conduct in Garuda Purana?

This verse frames dharma as a daily, continuous disposition—expressed through devotion, truthful-pleasant speech, and disciplined conduct—showing that righteousness is lived through consistent behavior in household life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing dharmic household conduct, it points to the karmic foundation that supports a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana—ethical living shapes afterlife outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady ethical behavior, communicate kindly, honor marital commitments, and practice self-restraint—treating dharma as consistency in everyday relationships rather than occasional ritual alone.