Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

अग्निहोत्रफला वेदाः शीलवृत्तिफलं शुभम् / रतिपुत्रफला दारा दत्तभुक्तफलं धनम्

Transliteration

agnihotraphalā vedāḥ śīlavṛttiphalaṃ śubham / ratiputraphalā dārā dattabhuktaphalaṃ dhanam

Translation

The Vedas bear fruit through the Agnihotra offering; auspiciousness bears fruit through good conduct and right livelihood. A wife bears fruit as love and progeny; wealth bears fruit as what is given in charity and what is rightly enjoyed.

Word by Word

• agnihotra-phalāḥ: having agnihotra as their fruit
• agnihotra-phalāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agnihotra (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (agnihotraṃ phalaṃ yeṣām)

• vedāḥ: the Vedas
• vedāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• śīla-vṛtti-phalam: the fruit of good conduct and livelihood
• śīla-vṛtti-phalam: Karta (Predicate nominal/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śīla (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (śīlasya vṛtteḥ phalam)

• śubham: auspicious/good
• śubham: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• rati-putra-phalāḥ: having pleasure and sons as their fruit
• rati-putra-phalāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rati (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (ratiḥ putraś ca phalaṃ yeṣām)

• dārāḥ: wife/wives
• dārāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नित्यबहुवचन

• datta-bhukta-phalam: whose fruit is what is given and enjoyed
• datta-bhukta-phalam: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: datta (dā/दा धातु + kta) + bhukta (bhuj/भुज् धातु + kta) + phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (dattasya bhuktasya phalam)

• dhanam: wealth
• dhanam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Things become fruitful only through their proper dharmic function: Veda through agnihotra, auspiciousness through good conduct, spouse through love and progeny, wealth through giving and rightful enjoyment.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: sanctifying life’s domains by offering/action; artha and kāma are validated when aligned with dharma, supporting inner purification.

Application: If you study, practice; if you seek auspiciousness, live well; if you marry, cultivate affection and responsibility; if you earn, give and enjoy ethically.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections on agnihotra, gṛhastha-dharma, dāna, and śīla; Teachings that wealth unused for dāna becomes a burden

FAQs

What is the importance of Agnihotra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Agnihotra as the practical means by which Vedic study becomes fruitful—Vedic knowledge is meant to culminate in disciplined ritual performance and dharmic living.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing yajña (Agnihotra), śīla (ethical conduct), and dāna (charity), the verse points to karma that matures into auspicious results—supporting a favorable post-death journey shaped by one’s deeds.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat learning as actionable practice: maintain daily discipline (ritual or prayer), uphold ethical livelihood, honor marriage responsibilities, and make wealth meaningful through charity and responsible use.