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

Man halte sich fern von: einem törichten Brahmanen, einem Kshatriya, der nicht kämpft (und seine Pflicht verfehlt), einem stumpfsinnigen Vaishya und einem Shudra, der „mit Buchstaben verbunden“ ist—also ohne rechte Befähigung Schriftwissen und Rezitation anmaßt.

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.