Shloka 16

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

Draupadī/Kṛṣṇā

Devanagari script

उत्तमेन च संगेन दैवेनाप्यर्थदो भवेत् / देवानामुत्तमो वायुस्तदर्थं संगमाचरेत्

Transliteration

uttamena ca saṃgena daivenāpyarthado bhavet / devānāmuttamo vāyustadarthaṃ saṃgamācaret

Translation

بمرافقةِ الأخيار، حتى ما يأتي بقضاءٍ إلهيّ يصير مثمرًا نافعًا. ومن بين الآلهة فـ«فايو» هو الأسمى؛ فلأجل ذلك فليُلازَم هذا الصُّحبةُ الرافعة.

Word by Word

• uttamena: with the best/highest
• uttamena: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• saṃgena: by association
• saṃgena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• daivena: divine/destined
• daivena: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• api: even/also
• api: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• arthadaḥ: bestowing wealth/meaning
• arthadaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: arthada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (Upapada)

• bhavet: should be/would be
• bhavet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi Lin (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• devānām: of the gods
• devānām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• uttamaḥ: best
• uttamaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vāyuḥ: Vayu (Wind God)
• vāyuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tadartham: for that sake/purpose
• tadartham: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadartha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial usage

• saṃgam: association
• saṃgam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ācaret: should practice/perform
• ācaret: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-car (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi Lin (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Satsaṅga transforms outcomes: even daiva (what is allotted) becomes fruitful through association with the excellent; emulate the highest among devas—Vāyu—as a model of elevating proximity/service.

Vedantic Theme: Saṅga as a catalyst for sattva; grace (anugraha) operates through proximity to the noble; daiva is not merely fatalism when guided by right association.

Application: Seek mentors, communities, and practices that increase sattva; keep company with disciplined, truthful, compassionate people; choose environments that support virtue.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.17.15 (harm of bad association)

Characters & Entities

• Vayu
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of satsaṅga (good company) in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that association with the excellent makes even fate-given circumstances productive, implying that satsaṅga refines outcomes and directs life toward dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

While not describing after-death stages directly, it teaches a key preparatory principle: uplifting association purifies conduct and tendencies, which in turn shapes karmic results that determine the soul’s post-mortem journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose environments and companions that strengthen virtue—scriptural study, disciplined living, and service—so that even unavoidable events are met with clarity and lead to beneficial outcomes.