Shloka 26
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
विषं गोष्ठी दरिद्रस्य वृद्धस्य तरुणी विषम् / विषं कुशिक्षिता विद्या अजीर्णे भोजनं विषम्
viṣaṃ goṣṭhī daridrasya vṛddhasya taruṇī viṣam / viṣaṃ kuśikṣitā vidyā ajīrṇe bhojanaṃ viṣam
For a poor man, social company is like poison; for an old man, a young woman is poison. Poorly learned knowledge is poison; and food taken when digestion is impaired is poison.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Misfit associations and wrong conditions turn ordinarily neutral things into ‘poison’: company for the destitute, youthful desire for the aged, half-baked learning, and eating during indigestion.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination): context-sensitive discernment to avoid bondage through craving, pride, and error.
Application: Avoid situations that amplify vulnerability (poverty + costly socializing; old age + lust); seek thorough learning; do not eat when digestion is impaired.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.25 (avoidances); Garuda Purana 1.114.28 (urge-suppression and sleep errors causing disease)
FAQs
It uses the metaphor of “poison” to warn that wrong association, unchecked desire, half-knowledge, and improper eating can destroy wellbeing and dharmic stability.
Indirectly: by promoting restraint and right living, it reduces harmful karmic tendencies that later become obstacles in the post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.
Choose uplifting company, practice age-appropriate discipline, avoid superficial/incorrect learning, and don’t eat when digestion is disturbed—treat these as preventable “poisons.”