Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

नाग्निस्तृप्यति काष्ठानां नापगानां महोदधिः / नान्तकः सर्वभूतानां न पुंसां वामलोचनाः

Transliteration

nāgnistṛpyati kāṣṭhānāṃ nāpagānāṃ mahodadhiḥ / nāntakaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ na puṃsāṃ vāmalocanāḥ

Translation

Das Feuer wird nie satt vom Holz; der große Ozean wird nie voll durch die Flüsse. Antaka, der Tod, ist nie zufrieden mit allen Wesen—und ebenso wird der Mann nie satt an Frauen mit schönen Augen.

Word by Word

नnot

अग्निःfire

तृप्यतिis satisfied

काष्ठानाम्of pieces of wood

नnot

अपगानाम्of rivers

महोदधिःthe great ocean

नnot

अन्तकःDeath, the ender

सर्वभूतानाम्of all beings

नnot

पुंसाम्of men

वामलोचनाःwomen with lovely/left (i.e., charming) eyes

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Desire and consumption are structurally insatiable; unchecked craving perpetuates bondage, while death’s inevitability urges urgency in dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Tṛṣṇā (craving) as a driver of saṃsāra; viṣaya-asakti never culminates in lasting satisfaction.

Application: Contemplate impermanence; set disciplines around consumption and sexuality; redirect longing toward higher aims (dharma/bhakti).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: ocean/river confluence (archetypal)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109.41-42 (no satiety in pleasures/status); Garuda Purana 1.109.43 (sense-conquest as liberation-support)

Characters & Entities

Agni

Antaka (Death)

FAQs

What is the importance of this teaching in the Garuda Purana?

It warns that craving is inherently insatiable—like fire fed by wood—so a wise person cultivates restraint and detachment rather than trying to “finish” desire through indulgence.

How does this verse relate to death and the soul’s journey in the Garuda Purana?

By highlighting Antaka (Death) as never ‘satisfied,’ it underscores the certainty and universality of death—prompting timely dharma and spiritual practice before the after-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat desire as something to discipline, not endlessly feed: practice moderation, fidelity and ethical conduct, and keep daily remembrance of impermanence to prioritize dharma and inner growth.