Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

हविर्दुष्टकुलद्वाह्यं बालादपि सुभाषितम् / अमेध्यात्काञ्चनं ग्राह्यं स्त्रीरत्नं दुष्कुलादपि

Transliteration

havirduṣṭakuladvāhyaṃ bālādapi subhāṣitam / amedhyātkāñcanaṃ grāhyaṃ strīratnaṃ duṣkulādapi

Translation

Oblations (havi) are acceptable even when they come from a wicked family; and wise speech may be received even from a child. Gold should be taken even from what is impure, and a jewel-like woman may be accepted even from a low family.

Word by Word

• हविः: oblation
• हविः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हविस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्

• दुष्टकुलद्वाह्यम्: acceptable even from a bad family
• दुष्टकुलद्वाह्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष्ट + कुल + द्वाह्य (प्रातिपदिक; √वह्-वाहने with दु-आ-ह्य/द्वाह्य ‘to be carried/accepted’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्; ‘दुष्टकुलात् द्वाह्यम्’ (acceptable/receivable even from a bad family)

• बालात्: from a child
• बालात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम्

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

• सुभाषितम्: good speech/wise saying
• सुभाषितम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + भाषित (कृदन्त; √भाष्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), ‘well-spoken saying’

• अमेध्यात्: from impurity
• अमेध्यात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमेध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम्; ‘impure (source)’

• काञ्चनम्: gold
• काञ्चनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचनम्

• ग्राह्यम्: should be accepted
• ग्राह्यम्: Vidheyavisheshana (Predicate adjective/विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), ‘to be taken/acceptable’

• स्त्रीरत्नम्: a precious woman (woman-jewel)
• स्त्रीरत्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचनम्; ‘स्त्रियाः रत्नम्’ (a jewel among women)

• दुष्कुलात्: from a bad family
• दुष्कुलात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम्

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Accept what is intrinsically good (havis, wise speech, gold, virtue) regardless of the source’s social status or impurity.

Vedantic Theme: Sāra-grahaṇa (grasping the essence) and viveka; separating guṇa (quality) from upādhi (external label).

Application: Learn from anyone; accept valid advice and genuine virtue without bias; evaluate offerings/inputs by quality and intent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.8 (near-duplicate maxim: nectar from poison; knowledge from the low-born); Garuda Purana 1.110.5 (tension with lineage emphasis; shows nuanced nīti)

FAQs

What is the importance of discernment (viveka) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that value should be accepted wherever it is found—ritual efficacy, truthful speech, and genuine virtue are not limited by a speaker’s age or a family’s reputation.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader dharma teaching?

Within the Purana’s instructional tone, it reinforces dharma as conduct rooted in truth and utility, not merely social labels—encouraging the listener to choose merit over prejudice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Respect good advice even from unlikely sources, evaluate people by character and conduct, and prioritize ethical substance over social status or background.