Shloka 3
Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā
धन्यास्ते ये न पश्यन्ति देशभङ्गं कुलक्षयम् / परचित्तगतान् दारान्पुत्रं कुव्यसने स्थितम्
dhanyāste ye na paśyanti deśabhaṅgaṃ kulakṣayam / paracittagatān dārānputraṃ kuvyasane sthitam
Selig sind jene, die nicht mit ansehen müssen: den Untergang ihres Landes, das Erlöschen ihres Geschlechts, Ehefrauen, deren Herz zu einem anderen gegangen ist, und einen Sohn, der in niedrige Süchte und Laster gefallen ist.
Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Worldly suffering intensifies when foundational supports—country, family line, marital trust, and children’s virtue—collapse.
Vedantic Theme: Duḥkha arising from attachment to unstable worldly structures; impetus toward vairāgya and dharmic vigilance.
Application: Invest in community resilience and ethical family culture; address addiction early; cultivate trust and communication; prepare for social instability without losing moral compass.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: nīti passages on family decline, bad progeny, and social ruin (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse treats kulakṣaya as a major visible form of adharma’s consequence—when values, stability, and right conduct collapse in a family line, suffering multiplies across generations.
Indirectly, it frames worldly misery as the fruit of moral and social disorder—especially addiction and betrayal—reinforcing that dharmic living is foundational before discussing post-death consequences elsewhere in the Purāṇa.
Protect family and community wellbeing through sobriety, fidelity, and responsible conduct; prevent “kuvyasana” early through discipline, good company, and dharmic habits.