Shloka 33

Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma

Devanagari script

त्रयो बलकराः सद्यो बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम् / त्रयो बलहराः सद्यो ह्यध्वा वे मैथुनं ज्वरः

Transliteration

trayo balakarāḥ sadyo bālābhyaṅgasubhojanam / trayo balaharāḥ sadyo hyadhvā ve maithunaṃ jvaraḥ

Translation

Three things immediately increase strength: oil-anointing and massage for a child, and wholesome food. Three things immediately drain strength: long travel, intercourse, and fever.

Word by Word

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana (Numeral qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘बलकराः’ इत्यस्य संख्या

• बलकराः: strength-giving
• बलकराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल+कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बलं करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम्: oil-massage for a child and good food
• बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल+अभ्यङ्ग+सु+भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—(बालाभ्यङ्गः) च (सुभोजनम्) च (द्वन्द्व, इतरेतर); ‘बाल’ = बालस्य/बालानां (बालकस्य) अभ्यङ्गः

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana (Numeral qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘बलहराः’ इत्यस्य संख्या

• बलहराः: strength-taking
• बलहराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल+हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बलं हरति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेतौ/निश्चयार्थे (indeed/for)

• अध्वा: journey/travel
• अध्वा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्वन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; प्रातिपदिक ‘अध्वन्’ का प्रथमा एकवचन रूप ‘अध्वा’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पबोधक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• मैथुनम्: sexual intercourse
• मैथुनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ज्वरः: fever
• ज्वरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bala management: cultivate strength through proper nourishment and oil-massage; avoid immediate depletors like overtravel, sex, and fever.

Vedantic Theme: Care of the body as a support for svadharma; moderation (madhyamā mārga) stabilizes mind and senses.

Application: Adopt abhyanga (oil massage) especially for children; eat wholesome food; during travel/illness reduce exertion and sexual activity; prioritize rest and recovery.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: travel route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.29-32 (context: longevity and regimen)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of strength (bala) in Garuda Purana teachings?

This verse treats bodily strength as a dharmic resource—something to be built through wholesome nourishment and proper care, and protected by avoiding immediate strength-drainers like excessive travel, overindulgence, and unmanaged illness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing care of the living body, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that disciplined living and health sustain one’s capacity for dharma, which in turn shapes post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize nourishing diet and restorative routines; limit exhausting travel when possible; practice moderation in sexual activity; treat fever promptly and rest to prevent rapid depletion of vitality.