Shloka 15

Nīti for Calamity, Wealth, Friendship, Charity, and Restraint of Kāma

Devanagari script

अर्थनाशं मनस्तापं गृहे दुश्चरितानि च / वञ्चनं चाप मानं च मतिमान्न प्रिकाशयेत्

Transliteration

arthanāśaṃ manastāpaṃ gṛhe duścaritāni ca / vañcanaṃ cāpa mānaṃ ca matimānna prikāśayet

Translation

Ein Weiser soll weder den Verlust von Besitz noch den Schmerz des Geistes, noch die Verfehlungen im Hause, noch erlittenen Betrug und Schmach offenbaren.

Word by Word

• अर्थनाशम्: loss of wealth
• अर्थनाशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ + नाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुष (अर्थस्य नाशः)

• मनस्तापम्: mental anguish
• मनस्तापम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् + ताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मनसः तापः)

• गृहे: in the house
• गृहे: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• दुश्चरितानि: misdeeds
• दुश्चरितानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष् + चरित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); ‘चरित’ (past participial noun)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• वञ्चनम्: deception
• वञ्चनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपमानम्: insult
• अपमानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मतिमान्: a wise person
• मतिमान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मतिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; गुणवाचक-शब्दः (one possessing intelligence)

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

• प्रकाशयेत्: should disclose
• प्रकाशयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + काश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम/मध्यम?—प्रयोगे तृतीया-पुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचन; ‘he should reveal’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gupta-vāk (guarded speech) and protection of personal/household vulnerabilities; avoid self-sabotage through disclosure.

Vedantic Theme: Control of vāk and manas as part of śama-dama; reducing rajas-driven outbursts that deepen saṃsāric entanglement.

Application: Keep sensitive matters confidential; seek counsel selectively; document issues privately rather than broadcasting them.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: household

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109 (nīti on speech and conduct)

FAQs

What is the importance of discretion in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents discretion as a mark of wisdom—certain private sufferings and household faults should not be broadcast, preserving dignity and preventing further harm.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports dharmic living through disciplined speech and conduct; such restraint aligns one with ethical order, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links to better post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid publicizing financial setbacks, private family conflicts, and personal humiliations; seek remedies privately, speak responsibly, and focus on corrective action rather than exposure.