Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

अर्थेनापि हि किं तेन यस्यानर्थे तु संगतिः / को हि नाम शिखाजातं पन्नगस्य मणिं हरेत्

Transliteration

arthenāpi hi kiṃ tena yasyānarthe tu saṃgatiḥ / ko hi nāma śikhājātaṃ pannagasya maṇiṃ haret

Translation

What use is wealth to one whose companionship is with misfortune? Who, indeed, would dare to seize the jewel born upon the hood of a serpent?

Word by Word

• अर्थेन: by wealth/means
• अर्थेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम्

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), ‘even/also’

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• किम्: what (use)
• किम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचनम्; प्रश्नार्थक सर्वनाम

• तेन: with that/for him
• तेन: Karana (Instrument/Reference/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम्

• यस्य: of whom/whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचनम्

• अनर्थे: in misfortune/evil
• अनर्थे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेषार्थक (but/indeed)

• संगतिः: association/company
• संगतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संगति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्

• कः: who
• कः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्; प्रश्नार्थक

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• नाम: ever/indeed
• नाम: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic/quotative particle)

• शिखाजातम्: born on the hood
• शिखाजातम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिखा + जात (कृदन्त; √जन्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), ‘शिखायां जातम्’ (born on the crest/hood)

• पन्नगस्य: of a serpent
• पन्नगस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पन्नग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचनम्

• मणिम्: jewel
• मणिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्

• हरेत्: would take/steal
• हरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Wealth is useless or perilous when tied to inauspicious association; do not grasp tempting gains that carry hidden danger.

Vedantic Theme: Asakti (non-clinging) and viveka regarding artha; recognizing doṣa in seemingly attractive objects.

Application: Avoid lucrative opportunities that come with toxic partnerships, legal/ethical peril, or reputational harm; assess hidden costs.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.5, 1.110.7-8 (discernment about value vs. source; apparent good vs. hidden harm)

FAQs

What is the importance of association (saṅgati) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that prosperity (artha) becomes ineffective when one keeps company with misfortune and harmful influences; right association is presented as foundational to dharmic stability.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it points to the moral causality behind one’s trajectory: choices and associations shape outcomes, just as reckless grasping (like stealing a serpent’s jewel) invites danger and suffering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize dharmic company and habits; avoid risky, unethical gains—wealth cannot protect a person who repeatedly chooses destructive associations.