Shloka 27
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
लोकयात्रा भयं लज्जा दाक्षिण्यं दानशीलता / पञ्च यत्र न विद्यन्ते न तत्र दिवसं वसेत्
lokayātrā bhayaṃ lajjā dākṣiṇyaṃ dānaśīlatā / pañca yatra na vidyante na tatra divasaṃ vaset
Worldly propriety, moral fear, modesty, courtesy, and a charitable disposition—where these five are absent, one should not reside even for a single day.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Avoid places lacking loka-yātrā (social propriety), bhaya (moral fear of wrongdoing), lajjā (modesty), dākṣiṇya (courtesy), and dāna-śīlatā (charitable nature).
Vedantic Theme: Sattva-saṅga: association shapes mind; choose environments that cultivate sattva and restrain rajas/tamas.
Application: Assess a workplace/neighborhood by norms: honesty, accountability, modesty, civility, and generosity; if absent, minimize exposure or relocate.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: settlement/community
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.26, 1.110.28 (residence criteria via pañcaka lists)
FAQs
This verse presents five social-moral pillars—decorum, restraint from wrongdoing, modesty, courtesy, and charity—as markers of a healthy dharmic community; their absence signals a place unfit for spiritual and ethical living.
Even when the text discusses death, karma, and afterlife, it repeatedly grounds liberation in day-to-day dharma; this verse emphasizes that one’s environment should support virtue, otherwise it erodes conduct and karmic clarity.
Choose communities and workplaces that value integrity, respect, kindness, and generosity; if an environment normalizes shameless wrongdoing and lack of compassion, minimize association and relocate when possible.