Shloka 63

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

Devanagari script

एतदेवानुमन्येत भोगा हि क्षणभङ्गिनः / स्निग्धेषु च विदग्धस्य मतयो वै ह्यनाकुलाः

Transliteration

etadevānumanyeta bhogā hi kṣaṇabhaṅginaḥ / snigdheṣu ca vidagdhasya matayo vai hyanākulāḥ

Translation

Man halte dies für wahr: Weltliche Genüsse sind wahrlich vergänglich und zerbrechen im Augenblick. Selbst inmitten von Angenehmem und Verlockendem bleibt der Geist des Einsichtigen standhaft und ungetrübt.

Word by Word

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपातः (emphatic: only/indeed)

• अनुमन्येत: should accept/approve
• अनुमन्येत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-मन् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातु: अनुमन् (अनुमोदन/स्वीकार)

• भोगाः: enjoyments
• भोगाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्

• हि: for/indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (indeed/for)

• क्षणभङ्गिनः: momentary/perishable
• क्षणभङ्गिनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षण (प्रातिपदिक) + भङ्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (क्षणेन भङ्गः यस्य/क्षणभङ्गी), पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्; भोगाः इति विशेष्ये

• स्निग्धेषु: among the affectionate
• स्निग्धेषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), बहुवचनम्; (जन/व्यक्ति-समूह) ‘among the affectionate’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपातः (conjunction: and)

• विदग्धस्य: of the wise/clever
• विदग्धस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदग्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचनम्

• मतयः: opinions/thoughts
• मतयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (emphatic/assurance particle)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (indeed/for)

• अनाकुलाः: unconfused/calm
• अनाकुलाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-आकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्; मतयः इति विशेष्ये

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sense-enjoyments are momentary; the wise remain unconfused even amid alluring pleasures.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka-vairāgya; stability of buddhi; movement from bhoga to mokṣa-oriented life.

Application: Practice mindful enjoyment without clinging; reflect daily on impermanence; prioritize sādhana, service, and inner discipline over compulsive consumption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114 (vairāgya and nīti counsel)

FAQs

What is the importance of detachment (vairagya) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that pleasures are short-lived; recognizing their momentary nature supports vairagya, which stabilizes the mind and aids progress toward liberation.

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

By training the mind to remain unconfused even among attractive objects, one reduces attachment-driven karma—an essential preparation for the post-death journey and for avoiding repeated bondage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Regularly reflect that pleasures pass quickly, and practice mindful restraint so decisions are guided by dharma rather than impulse.