Shloka 56

Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma

Devanagari script

एकेनापि सुपुत्रेण विद्यायुक्तेन धीमता / कुलं पुरुषसिंहेन चन्द्रेण गगनं यथा

Transliteration

ekenāpi suputreṇa vidyāyuktena dhīmatā / kulaṃ puruṣasiṃhena candreṇa gaganaṃ yathā

Translation

Schon ein einziger guter Sohn—gelehrt und weise—kann das ganze Geschlecht erheben und erleuchten, wie der Mond, ein Löwe unter den Menschen, den Himmel erhellt.

Word by Word

• एकेन: by/with one
• एकेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अप्यर्थक-निपात (particle: even/also)

• सुपुत्रेण: by a good son
• सुपुत्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (सु-पुत्रः = good son)

• विद्यायुक्तेन: endowed with knowledge
• विद्यायुक्तेन: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्या + युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (विद्यया युक्तः)

• धीमता: intelligent
• धीमता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण

• कुलम्: family/lineage
• कुलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पुरुषसिंहेन: by a lion among men
• पुरुषसिंहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (पुरुषः सिंह इव)

• चन्द्रेण: by the moon
• चन्द्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• गगनम्: sky
• गगनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गगन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (indeclinable of comparison: as/like)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: One learned, wise, virtuous son can elevate an entire lineage; quality surpasses quantity.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-guṇa and viveka (discernment) as luminous forces; one realized/wise person benefits many (satsaṅga principle).

Application: Cultivate depth of character and learning in at least one successor/student; mentor sincerely; value excellence and wisdom over numbers.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.57–58 reinforce the ‘one excellent entity transforms the whole’ motif (tree/forest; moon/darkness).

FAQs

What is the importance of a virtuous, learned child in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that one truly wise and well-educated child can bring honor, stability, and positive influence to the entire family lineage.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe after-death travel here; instead, it emphasizes dharmic living in this life—especially the power of knowledge and virtue to elevate one’s kula.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize education with character-building: cultivate wisdom, self-discipline, and ethical conduct—because one exemplary person can transform a whole household.