Shloka 87

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

क्रमायत्तं प्रीतिदत्तं प्राप्तं च सह भार्यया / अविशेषेण सर्वेषां वर्णानां त्रिविधं धनम्

Transliteration

kramāyattaṃ prītidattaṃ prāptaṃ ca saha bhāryayā / aviśeṣeṇa sarveṣāṃ varṇānāṃ trividhaṃ dhanam

Translation

Für alle Varṇas ohne Unterschied ist Reichtum dreifach: (1) der durch rechtmäßige Nachfolge erlangte (Erbe), (2) der aus Zuneigung geschenkte, und (3) der zusammen mit der Gattin gewonnene (Ehegut, Mitgift und verbundene Gewinne).

Word by Word

• क्रमायत्तम्: dependent on due order / coming in sequence
• क्रमायत्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रम-आयत्त (प्रातिपदिक; क्रम + आयत्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg; adjective)

• प्रीतिदत्तम्: given out of affection
• प्रीतिदत्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीति-दत्त (प्रातिपदिक; प्रीति + दत्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg; adjective)

• प्राप्तम्: obtained
• प्राप्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु) → प्राप्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (past participle; neuter nom/acc sg)

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

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahakari (Accompaniment/सहकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: सहकारक-अव्यय; तृतीयासह (indeclinable used with instrumental)

• भार्यया: with (one's) wife
• भार्यया: Sahakari (Accompaniment/सहकार)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन (feminine instrumental singular)

• अविशेषेण: without distinction
• अविशेषेण: Hetu/Prakara (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अ-विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् प्रयोगः (instrumental used adverbially: 'without distinction')

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masculine genitive plural; adjectival)

• वर्णानाम्: of the social classes (varṇas)
• वर्णानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन (masculine genitive plural)

• त्रिविधम्: threefold
• त्रिविधम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि-विद (प्रातिपदिक; त्रि + विध)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (neuter nom/acc sg; adjective)

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karma/Pratipādya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Legitimate acquisition of wealth is categorized into inheritance, affectionate gifting, and marital-associated property, applicable across varṇas.

Vedantic Theme: Artha regulated by dharma; non-attachment implied through right means of acquisition.

Application: In inheritance, gifting, and marriage-related transfers, maintain transparency and dharmic intent; treat these as recognized, non-stigmatized sources of property.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.88-91 (varna-specific wealth and occupations)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Varna

FAQs

What is the importance of classifying wealth in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines lawful categories of wealth—inheritance, affectionate gifts, and marital acquisitions—so a householder can follow dharma in ownership, sharing, and duty.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ethics and karmic accountability?

By distinguishing legitimate sources of wealth, it supports righteous living: wealth gained and held according to dharma is less likely to become a cause of sin, dispute, or negative karmic consequence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Earn and document wealth through clear, ethical channels (inheritance, gifts, and marital assets), avoid unjust acquisition, and treat family property with fairness and responsibility.