Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

एतदादिक्रियायुक्ता सर्वसौ भाग्यवर्धिनी / यस्येदृशी भवेद्भाय्या स देवेन्द्रोन मानुषः

Transliteration

etadādikriyāyuktā sarvasau bhāgyavardhinī / yasyedṛśī bhavedbhāyyā sa devendrona mānuṣaḥ

Translation

Eine Gattin, die solchen vorgeschriebenen Riten und Pflichten (und dergleichen) ergeben ist, mehrt in jeder Hinsicht das Glück. Wer eine solche Frau hat, ist nicht bloß Mensch — er ist wie Indra unter den Menschen.

Word by Word

• एतदादिक्रियायुक्ता: endowed with such and similar practices
• एतदादिक्रियायुक्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् + आदि + क्रिया + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक; युज्-धातु-आधारित क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (एतदादिकाभिः क्रियाभिः युक्ता)

• सर्वसा: entirely, in every way
• सर्वसा: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: entirely/altogether)

• भाग्यवर्धिनी: increasing good fortune
• भाग्यवर्धिनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भाग्य + वर्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक; वर्ध्-धातु-आधारित)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (भाग्यं वर्धयति इति)

• यस्य: whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative)

• ईदृशी: such (of this kind)
• ईदृशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of भार्या)

• भवेत्: may be / would be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भार्या: wife
• भार्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• देवेन्द्रः: Indra, lord of the gods
• देवेन्द्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (देवानाम् इन्द्रः)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• मानुषः: a human (mere man)
• मानुषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A wife aligned with prescribed duties and rites becomes a source of sarva-saubhāgya; such a household confers exceptional status.

Vedantic Theme: Karma (right action) performed in dharma generates auspicious results (puṇya) and supports inner refinement.

Application: Treat daily responsibilities and shared rituals as stabilizing practices; recognize and honor contributions that sustain family flourishing.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108.18-20, 1.108.22 (context: virtues contrasted with faults)

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Devendra)

FAQs

What is the importance of household rites (kriyā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents proper observances and duties as prosperity-enhancing, especially when upheld within the household through disciplined conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or afterlife themes?

Indirectly: it emphasizes dharma and meritorious conduct (kriyā), which the Garuda Purana elsewhere links to favorable post-death outcomes and reduced suffering after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a dhārmic home through shared duties, ethical living, and regular sacred observances; supportive partnership is portrayed as a major source of stability and auspiciousness.