Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणं बालिशं क्षत्त्रमयोद्धारं विशं जडम् / शूद्रमक्षरसंयुक्तं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्

Transliteration

brāhmaṇaṃ bāliśaṃ kṣattramayoddhāraṃ viśaṃ jaḍam / śūdramakṣarasaṃyuktaṃ dūrataḥ parivarjayet

Translation

মূর্খ ব্রাহ্মণ, যুদ্ধ না-করা ক্ষত্রিয়, জড়বুদ্ধি বৈশ্য, এবং অযোগ্য হয়েও অক্ষর-বিদ্যার দম্ভকারী শূদ্র—এদের থেকে দূরে থাকা উচিত।

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणम्: a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• बालिशम्: foolish
• बालिशम्: Karma-qualifier (Object qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बालिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/विशेषण), एकवचनम्; ब्राह्मणम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• क्षत्त्रम्: a Kshatriya
• क्षत्त्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• अयोद्धारम्: not a fighter
• अयोद्धारम्: Karma-qualifier (Object qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अयोद्धार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/विशेषण), एकवचनम्; नञ्-पूर्वपद (non-fighter); क्षत्त्रम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• विशम्: a Vaishya
• विशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्/विश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः (विश्), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• जडम्: dull/stupid
• जडम्: Karma-qualifier (Object qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/विशेषण), एकवचनम्; विशम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• शूद्रम्: a Shudra
• शूद्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• अक्षर-संयुक्तम्: literate/associated with letters
• अक्षर-संयुक्तम्: Karma-qualifier (Object qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/विशेषण), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (अक्षरेण संयुक्तः = joined with letters/learning); शूद्रम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• दूरतः: from afar
• दूरतः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूरतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb)

• परिवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• परिवर्जयेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/संभावना-आदेश), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम्; उपसर्गः परि- (to avoid completely)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Avoid proximity to role-incongruity and incompetence that destabilize dharma: foolish priestly authority, non-protective kṣatriya, inert commerce, and unauthorized scriptural display.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra (fitness/qualification) and svadharma as supports for social and inner order; misalignment breeds confusion (saṅkara) and tamas.

Application: Seek competent professionals; verify qualifications; avoid entrusting critical duties to unfit persons; cultivate humility about one’s own training before teaching/reciting authoritatively.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108 (nīti on discernment and association)

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding adharmic company in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames ‘avoidance’ as a protective dharmic practice: when a person’s role and conduct are misaligned (foolish brahmin, non-defending kshatriya, dull vaishya, improperly posturing shudra), their influence is considered spiritually and socially harmful.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing right conduct (dharma) and the dangers of misguided guidance, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that one’s associations and actions shape karmic outcomes that affect post-death experience.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek teachers and communities grounded in integrity and competence; avoid taking life-guidance from people who claim authority without discernment, responsibility, or ethical discipline.