Shloka 19
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
छलेन मित्रं कलुषेण धर्मं परोपतापेन समृद्धिभावनम् / सुखेन विद्यां पुरुषेण नारीं वाञ्छन्ति वै ये न च पण्डितास्ते
chalena mitraṃ kaluṣeṇa dharmaṃ paropatāpena samṛddhibhāvanam / sukhena vidyāṃ puruṣeṇa nārīṃ vāñchanti vai ye na ca paṇḍitāste
Those who seek a friend through deceit, dharma through impurity, prosperity by tormenting others, learning through ease, and a woman through mere manhood—such people are not wise at all.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Ends do not justify impure means; deceit, harm, and indulgence cannot yield true friendship, dharma, prosperity, learning, or worthy relationships.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva as the basis for right knowledge and right action; adharma born of rajas/tamas leads to avidya and bondage.
Application: Choose means aligned with integrity: cultivate friendships through honesty, prosperity through non-harm, learning through discipline, and relationships through character rather than mere power.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (dharma-niti sections): warnings against deceit (chala), himsa, and tamasic pursuits; general sadachara passages in Purva-khanda.
FAQs
It teaches that dharma cannot be attained through impure means; righteousness must be pursued with inner and outer purity, not hypocrisy or corruption.
By warning against harmful and deceitful actions, it indirectly points to karmic consequences that shape one’s post-death journey; unethical means lead to negative karmic results described elsewhere in the Purana.
Choose honest relationships, earn wealth without harming others, learn through discipline rather than comfort-seeking, and treat relationships with responsibility and character—not entitlement.