Shloka 14

Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy

Devanagari script

कनकभूषणसंग्रहणोचितो यदि मणिस्त्रपुणि प्रतिबध्यते / न च विरौति न चापि स शोभते भवति योजयितुर्वचनीयता

Transliteration

kanakabhūṣaṇasaṃgrahaṇocito yadi maṇistrapuṇi pratibadhyate / na ca virauti na cāpi sa śobhate bhavati yojayiturvacanīyatā

Translation

Wird ein Edelstein, der zum Goldschmuck taugt, in Zinn gefasst, so erklingt er nicht recht und er glänzt auch nicht; die Schuld liegt bei dem, der ihn so eingesetzt hat.

Word by Word

• कनकभूषणसंग्रहणोचितः: fit for collecting gold ornaments
• कनकभूषणसंग्रहणोचितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कनक + भूषण + संग्रहण + उचित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (कनकभूषणानां संग्रहणाय उचितः)

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha/Condition (शर्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: शर्तार्थक अव्यय (conditional)

• मणिः: a gem
• मणिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• त्रपुणि: in tin
• त्रपुणि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रपु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रतिबध्यते: is fastened/attached
• प्रतिबध्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति+बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Conjunction (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• विरौति: sounds/resonates
• विरौति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रु (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; (वि-उपसर्गेण)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Conjunction (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अप्यर्थ (also/even)

• सः: it/he (that)
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• शोभते: shines/looks beautiful
• शोभते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• भवति: becomes/is
• भवति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• योजयितुः: of the one who assigns/uses
• योजयितुः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युज् (धातु) + तृ (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तृ-कृदन्त (agent noun), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वचनीयता: blameworthiness/censure
• वचनीयता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचनीयता (प्रातिपदिक; भाववाचक from वच् + अनीयर्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Doṣa of the yojayitṛ (the one who assigns/sets): excellence is harmed by improper context; responsibility lies with the decision-maker.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka in karma: right means and right context matter; misalignment of guṇa/adhikāra produces disharmony and loss of tejas (luster).

Application: Place talent/resources in fitting environments; avoid penny-wise decisions that waste quality; leaders must own outcomes of misassignment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.11 (proper place); Garuda Purana 1.110.12 (fall by negligence); Garuda Purana 1.110.10 (appointing the fit)

FAQs

What is the importance of suitability (yogyatā) in Garuda Purana teachings?

This verse teaches that even something inherently valuable can fail to manifest its worth if placed in an unfit context; the responsibility lies with the one who applies or arranges it.

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

Indirectly, it emphasizes discernment in actions and guidance: spiritual results depend not only on ‘what’ is done but also on ‘how’ and ‘by whom’ it is properly applied—an idea echoed in discussions of dharma and right conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose qualified guidance and appropriate methods—whether in ritual, study, or ethics—because misapplication can dull even genuine virtue, and accountability rests with the decision-maker.