Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

वर्जयेत्क्षुद्रसंवादमदुष्टस्य तु दर्शनम् / विरोधं सह मित्रेण संप्रीतिं शत्रुसेविना

Transliteration

varjayetkṣudrasaṃvādamaduṣṭasya tu darśanam / virodhaṃ saha mitreṇa saṃprītiṃ śatrusevinā

Translation

Man meide kleinliche Rede und sogar den bloßen Anblick des Bösen. Man streite nicht mit einem Freund und suche keine Vertrautheit mit dem, der den eigenen Feinden dient.

Word by Word

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/विधिलिङ्-समर्थ आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम्; धातोः causative-भावः (वर्जयति = to avoid)

• क्षुद्र-संवादम्: petty conversation
• क्षुद्र-संवादम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + संवाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (क्षुद्रः संवादः = petty talk)

• अदुष्टस्य: of a non-wicked (person)
• अदुष्टस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अदुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः/नपुंसकलिङ्गः (contextual), षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचनम्; नञ्-समास/उपसर्ग-निषेध (not wicked)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; निपातः (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थे (but/indeed)

• दर्शनम्: seeing/meeting
• दर्शनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• विरोधम्: quarrel/opposition
• विरोधम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• सह: with
• सह: Sahārtha (Association marker/सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; उपसर्गसदृशं सहार्थकं (with); तृतीयासहचर्ये प्रयुज्यते

• मित्रेण: with a friend
• मित्रेण: Sahakāraka/Association (सह-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः (मित्रम्), तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचनम्

• संप्रीतिम्: friendship/affection
• संप्रीतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संप्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• शत्रु-सेविना: with one who serves the enemy
• शत्रु-सेविना: Sahakāraka/Association (Instrumental accompaniment/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + सेविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (शत्रुं सेवते इति = one who serves the enemy)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Saṅga-doṣa (harm from unwholesome association) and preservation of friendship through restraint in speech and conflict.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-saṃrakṣaṇa through saṅga-śuddhi; guarding the mind from vāsanā-contagion.

Application: Avoid gossip and toxic circles; set boundaries with unethical people; resolve disagreements with friends privately; do not befriend those aligned with your harm.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108 (nīti/dharma counsel context)

FAQs

What is the importance of right association in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames dharmic living as guarding one’s speech and company—avoiding petty talk, avoiding the wicked, preserving friendship, and refusing closeness with those aligned to one’s enemies.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing disciplined speech and association, it points to the karmic roots of one’s future experience—ethical restraint and loyal friendship support a mind suited for dharma and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Limit gossip and degrading conversation, reduce exposure to harmful influences, resolve conflicts with friends quickly, and keep healthy boundaries from people who undermine your well-being or loyalties.