Shloka 93

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

अनावृष्ट्या राजभयान्मूषिकाद्यैरुपद्रवैः / कृष्यादिके भवेद्बाधा सा कुसीदे न विद्यते

Transliteration

anāvṛṣṭyā rājabhayānmūṣikādyairupadravaiḥ / kṛṣyādike bhavedbādhā sā kusīde na vidyate

Translation

في الزراعة ونحوها من المعاش تنشأ العوائق من انحباس المطر، والخوف من السلطان، والآفات كالفئران وغيرها من الهوام؛ أمّا في الربا (كوسيدا) فلا توجد مثل هذه الموانع.

Word by Word

• अनावृष्ट्या: by drought/lack of rain
• अनावृष्ट्या: Hetu/Karana (Cause/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनावृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• राज-भयात्: from fear of the king
• राज-भयात्: Apadana (Source/अपाादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राजस्य भयम्)

• मूषिक-आद्यैः: by rats and the like
• मूषिक-आद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूषिक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (आदि-समास: 'etc.'), अर्थे 'मूषिकादिभिः'

• उपद्रवैः: by calamities/disturbances
• उपद्रवैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपद्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• कृषि-आदिके: in agriculture and such occupations
• कृषि-आदिके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृषि (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (आदि-समास)

• भवेत्: would arise/occur
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• बाधा: obstruction/harm
• बाधा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सा: that (obstruction)
• सा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• कुसीदे: in usury/interest-lending
• कुसीदे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसीद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Avyaya (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• विद्यते: is found/exists
• विद्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु) (आत्मनेपद: विद्/विद्य् ‘to exist/be found’)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Agriculture and similar livelihoods face uncontrollable obstacles (drought, royal fear, pests), whereas usury appears insulated—highlighting why it tempts people despite its moral taint.

Vedantic Theme: Maya of ‘secure gain’: apparent safety can deepen bondage when rooted in adharma; discernment between shreyas and preyas.

Application: Do not choose a livelihood merely for perceived risk-free returns; weigh ethical cost and societal harm alongside stability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: agrarian fields and settlements (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical discussions on artha pursued with dharma; warnings about lobha and exploitation (contextual).

Characters & Entities

• King (Raja)
• Rats (Mushika)

FAQs

What is the importance of kusīda (usury) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights why usury can appear deceptively attractive: unlike farming, it is not directly threatened by drought, royal fear, or pests—setting up a moral critique of profit gained without sharing real-world risk or labor.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes of dharma and conduct?

It contrasts honest livelihoods burdened by natural and social uncertainties with interest-lending that seems insulated from such obstacles, implying the need to evaluate wealth-making methods through dharmic responsibility rather than ease of gain.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose income sources that are fair and socially responsible; if lending money, avoid exploitative interest and prioritize compassion, transparency, and support for those in hardship.