Shloka 19
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
छलेन मित्रं कलुषेण धर्मं परोपतापेन समृद्धिभावनम् / सुखेन विद्यां पुरुषेण नारीं वाञ्छन्ति वै ये न च पण्डितास्ते
chalena mitraṃ kaluṣeṇa dharmaṃ paropatāpena samṛddhibhāvanam / sukhena vidyāṃ puruṣeṇa nārīṃ vāñchanti vai ye na ca paṇḍitāste
Wer einen Freund durch Trug sucht, Dharma durch Unreinheit, Wohlstand durch das Leid anderer, Wissen durch Bequemlichkeit und eine Frau durch bloße Männlichkeit—solche Menschen sind keineswegs weise.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Ends do not justify impure means; deceit, harm, and indulgence cannot yield true friendship, dharma, prosperity, learning, or worthy relationships.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva as the basis for right knowledge and right action; adharma born of rajas/tamas leads to avidya and bondage.
Application: Choose means aligned with integrity: cultivate friendships through honesty, prosperity through non-harm, learning through discipline, and relationships through character rather than mere power.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (dharma-niti sections): warnings against deceit (chala), himsa, and tamasic pursuits; general sadachara passages in Purva-khanda.
FAQs
It teaches that dharma cannot be attained through impure means; righteousness must be pursued with inner and outer purity, not hypocrisy or corruption.
By warning against harmful and deceitful actions, it indirectly points to karmic consequences that shape one’s post-death journey; unethical means lead to negative karmic results described elsewhere in the Purana.
Choose honest relationships, earn wealth without harming others, learn through discipline rather than comfort-seeking, and treat relationships with responsibility and character—not entitlement.