Shloka 10

Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy

Devanagari script

कुले नियोजयेद्भक्तं पुत्रं विद्यासु योजयेत् / व्यसने योजयेच्छत्रुमिष्टं धर्मे नियोज्येत्

Transliteration

kule niyojayedbhaktaṃ putraṃ vidyāsu yojayet / vyasane yojayecchatrumiṣṭaṃ dharme niyojyet

Translation

Appoint a devoted person to oversee the affairs of the family; engage one’s son in learning; in times of adversity set even an enemy to work; and employ what is dear and valued in the service of Dharma.

Word by Word

• कुले: in the family
• कुले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• नियोजयेत्: should appoint/engage
• नियोजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• भक्तम्: a devotee/faithful person
• भक्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from भज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पुत्रम्: son
• पुत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विद्यासु: in studies/learning
• विद्यासु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• योजयेत्: should engage/assign
• योजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• व्यसने: in calamity/distress
• व्यसने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• योजयेत्: should employ
• योजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• शत्रुम्: an enemy
• शत्रुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• इष्टम्: desired/beneficial (task)
• इष्टम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from इष्/यज् in sense 'desired/pleasing')
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying implied कर्म)

• धर्मे: in righteousness/duty
• धर्मे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• नियोज्येत्: should be appointed/should be engaged
• नियोज्येत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Yathāyogya-niyoga (assigning persons/resources according to fitness) to protect kula and uphold dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: right action with discernment (viveka) and social responsibility without confusion of roles.

Application: Delegate family management to trustworthy devotees, prioritize children’s education, use even adversaries constructively in crisis, and channel what is most valued toward dharmic ends.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.11-14 (fitness of placement; jewel/ornament analogies)

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma-oriented planning in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames practical life-management as a dharmic discipline—assigning responsibilities wisely, prioritizing learning, and using even difficult circumstances to uphold righteousness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the soul’s welfare by emphasizing dharma in worldly life, since righteous conduct is repeatedly presented in the Garuda Purana as shaping karmic outcomes beyond death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Build a trustworthy support system for family duties, invest in education, turn conflicts into accountability and productive work, and dedicate your most valued time/resources to ethical action.