Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

समांसैर्भोजनैः स्निग्धैर्मद्यैर्गन्धविलेपनैः / वस्त्रैर्मनोरमैर्माल्यैः कामः स्त्रीषु विजृम्भते

Transliteration

samāṃsairbhojanaiḥ snigdhairmadyairgandhavilepanaiḥ / vastrairmanoramairmālyaiḥ kāmaḥ strīṣu vijṛmbhate

Translation

Durch fleischhaltige Speisen, reichhaltige und ölige Gerichte, berauschende Getränke, duftende Parfüms und Salben, reizende Gewänder und Girlanden schwillt die Lust an und wird bei Frauen zügellos.

Word by Word

• समांसैः: with meat-containing (foods)
• समांसैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + मांस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीह्यर्थे न; तत्पुरुष-समास (सहितं मांसं येषु), नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (भोजनैः सह विशेषण)

• भोजनैः: with foods/meals
• भोजनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• स्निग्धैः: with rich/oily
• स्निग्धैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (भोजनैः विशेषण)

• मद्यैः: with liquors
• मद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• गन्धविलेपनैः: with fragrant unguents/perfumes
• गन्धविलेपनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + विलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गन्धस्य विलेपनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• वस्त्रैः: with garments
• वस्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• मनोरमैः: with pleasing/charming
• मनोरमैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् + रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (मनसः रमः/मनोरमः), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (वस्त्रैः/माल्यैः विशेषण)

• माल्यैः: with garlands
• माल्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• कामः: desire/lust
• कामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• स्त्रीषु: in women
• स्त्रीषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन

• विजृम्भते: expands/arises strongly
• विजृम्भते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जृम्भ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: वि-

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sensory luxuries act as āhāra-vihāra triggers that amplify lust; external stimuli strengthen internal vāsanā.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-dynamics: rajas (stimulation) and tamas (intoxication) overpower sattva; bondage through viṣaya-saṅga.

Application: Moderate diet (especially heavy/oily/meat), avoid intoxicants, simplify adornment, and cultivate sattvic habits to reduce kāma’s escalation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana nīti/dharma material on madya, māṃsa, and kāma as causes of downfall (general thematic parallels)

FAQs

What is the importance of sense-restraint (indriya-nigraha) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links sensory stimulants—rich foods, intoxicants, perfumes, and luxury adornments—to the escalation of kāma, showing why restraint is treated as essential for dharmic living.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

By identifying how desire is fueled through indulgence, it points to the karmic roots that bind the jīva; unchecked kāma is presented as a cause of further bondage rather than liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reduce intoxicants and overstimulating indulgences, practice moderation in diet and luxury, and cultivate awareness of how sensory inputs intensify cravings and weaken self-control.