Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

कुसुमस्तबकस्येव द्वे गती तु मनस्विनः / मूर्ध्नि वा सर्वलोकानां शीर्षतः पतितो वने

Transliteration

kusumastabakasyeva dve gatī tu manasvinaḥ / mūrdhni vā sarvalokānāṃ śīrṣataḥ patito vane

Translation

Like a cluster of flowers, the strong-minded have but two destinies: either they rise to the head, the highest place among all beings, or, falling from the summit, they lie cast down in the wilderness.

Word by Word

• कुसुमस्तबकस्य: of a cluster of flowers
• कुसुमस्तबकस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम + स्तबक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कुसुमानां स्तबकः)

• इव: like/as
• इव: Upamana-marker (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमार्थक अव्यय (comparative particle)

• द्वे: two
• द्वे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; संख्यावाचक विशेषण

• गती: courses/destinies
• गती: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ (but/indeed)

• मनस्विनः: of the high-minded person
• मनस्विनः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha/Disjunction (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (or)

• सर्वलोकानाम्: of all people/worlds
• सर्वलोकानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (सर्वे लोकाः)

• शीर्षतः: from the head/top
• शीर्षतः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• पतितः: fallen
• पतितः: Kriya (State/क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पत् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (मनस्विन्/स्तबक इत्यादेः) विधेय-विशेषण

• वने: in the forest
• वने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: For the high-spirited, outcomes polarize: exaltation through excellence or disgrace through a great fall; hence steadiness and restraint are essential.

Vedantic Theme: Ego and ambition must be governed by viveka; otherwise rajas leads to collapse—seek inner steadiness (sthita-prajñā ideal).

Application: Pursue excellence with humility; build safeguards against hubris; accept feedback; keep conduct consistent with one’s ideals.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: forest

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.12 (downfall by pramāda); Garuda Purana 1.110.14 (misplacement causes loss of shine)

FAQs

What is the importance of determination (manas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that a resolute person tends toward extremes—either attaining the highest standing through dharma, or suffering a severe fall when guided by adharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stressing moral trajectory: sustained right resolve elevates one’s status and spiritual outcome, while a fall from virtue leads to degradation—setting the tone for later afterlife consequences described in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady discipline in ethical conduct and spiritual practice; strong ambition should be anchored in dharma to prevent a “fall from the top” through pride, indulgence, or harmful actions.