Shloka 34

Vāstu-pūjā, Vāstu-maṇḍala Deities, Site Computations, and Doorway/Tree Prescriptions

Devanagari script

नृपभी तिर्मृतापत्यं ह्यनपत्यं न वैरदम् / अर्थदं चार्थहान्यै च दोषदं पुत्रमृत्युदम्

Transliteration

nṛpabhī tirmṛtāpatyaṃ hyanapatyaṃ na vairadam / arthadaṃ cārthahānyai ca doṣadaṃ putramṛtyudam

Translation

الخوفُ من الملك، وولدٌ كالميّت، والعُقمُ عن الذرية، والعداوةُ—كلُّ ذلك لا يجلبُ نماءً ولا رخاءً. وقد يجلبُ الابنُ مالًا، وقد يجرُّ خسارةَ المال؛ وقد يجلبُ اللومَ، بل قد يصيرُ سببًا لموتِ ابنٍ.

Word by Word

• नृपभीतिः: fear of the king
• नृपभीतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक) + भीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (नृपस्य भीतिः)

• मृतापत्यम्: dead offspring
• मृतापत्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + अपत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (मृतम् अपत्यम्)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis/indeed)

• अनपत्यम्: without offspring
• अनपत्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्- (नञ्) + अपत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; नञ्-समासार्थ (offspringless)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• वैरदम्: giving enmity
• वैरदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैर (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वैरं ददाति इति)

• अर्थदम्: giving wealth/benefit
• अर्थदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अर्थं ददाति इति)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अर्थहान्यै: for loss of wealth
• अर्थहान्यै: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + हानि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (अर्थस्य हानिः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• दोषदम्: giving fault/blame
• दोषदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (दोषं ददाति इति)

• पुत्रमृत्युदम्: causing the death of a son
• पुत्रमृत्युदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मृत्यु (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (पुत्रमृत्युं ददाति इति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Worldly supports (sons, wealth, protection) are uncertain; attachments yield mixed fruits; fear and conflict obstruct prosperity.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā (impermanence) of artha and familial outcomes; saṃsāra’s dualities (gain/loss, praise/blame).

Application: Cultivate equanimity and ethical parenting; avoid enmity and reckless dependence on political favor; diversify one’s sense of security beyond a single worldly pillar.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: social-political sphere (royal power) and household lineage context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46 (phala lists: fear, childlessness, enmity, wealth outcomes)

Characters & Entities

• Nṛpa (king)

FAQs

What is the importance of this teaching in the Garuda Purana?

It cautions that social fear, hostility, and even the presence or absence of children are not inherently auspicious; outcomes depend on dharma and conduct, since a son can bring both benefit and harm.

How does this verse relate to karma and consequences?

It presents mixed results (gain/loss, honor/blame) as consequences tied to one’s actions and family dynamics, implying that karma—not mere status or progeny—drives real welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not equate prosperity with external markers like having children; prioritize ethical living, avoid enmity, and cultivate responsible family relationships to prevent harm and blame.