Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

शुष्कं मांसं पयो नित्यं भार्यामित्रैः सहैव तु / न भाक्तव्यं नृपैः सार्धं वियोगं कुरुते क्षणात्

Transliteration

śuṣkaṃ māṃsaṃ payo nityaṃ bhāryāmitraiḥ sahaiva tu / na bhāktavyaṃ nṛpaiḥ sārdhaṃ viyogaṃ kurute kṣaṇāt

Translation

Do not eat dried meat, nor drink milk as a daily habit; and do not dine together with your wife’s friends. Nor should one share a meal with kings, for such association can bring separation in an instant.

Word by Word

• śuṣkam: dry
• śuṣkam: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuṣka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg, adjective)

• māṃsam: meat
• māṃsam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māṃsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg)

• payaḥ: milk
• payaḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: payas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• bhāryā-mitraiḥ: with wife and friends
• bhāryā-mitraiḥ: Sahakāraka (Accompaniment/Instrumental)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāryā (प्रातिपदिक) + mitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; नपुंसक/पुंलिङ्ग-समाहार (instrumental plural)

• saha: together with
• saha: Sambandha (Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (with)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Nipāta (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• tu: but
• tu: Nipāta (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/अन्वय (but/and)

• na: not
• na: Nipāta (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation)

• bhāktavyam: should be eaten/partaken
• bhāktavyam: Vidhi/Pratiṣedha (Prohibition predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhaj (धातु) + tavya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: तव्यत्-कृदन्त (gerundive/passive necessity); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विधेय (to be partaken/consumed)

• nṛpaiḥ: with kings
• nṛpaiḥ: Sahakāraka (Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन (instrumental plural)

• sārdham: together
• sārdham: Sambandha (Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārdham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (together with)

• viyogam: separation
• viyogam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viyoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन (accusative singular)

• kurute: causes/makes
• kurute: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (present, 3rd sg, middle)

• kṣaṇāt: in a moment/from a moment
• kṣaṇāt: Apādāna (Source/From)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन (ablative singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Avoidance of inauspicious food and risky associations to prevent discord and loss.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-saṅga and saṅga-doṣa: association shapes mind and fate; restraint supports sattva.

Application: Maintain clean, moderate diet; avoid entangling social meals (especially politically charged company); keep boundaries that protect marriage and stability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: household/dining space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.35-38 (sadācāra and Lakṣmī/Alakṣmī motifs)

Characters & Entities

• Kings (nṛpa)

FAQs

What is the importance of food and association rules in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats eating and companionship as dharmic acts: what one consumes and with whom one shares food can influence harmony, reputation, and the stability of relationships.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: the Garuda Purana links daily discipline (niyama) with karmic outcomes. By restraining harmful habits and risky associations, one reduces causes of conflict and misfortune that shape one’s karmic trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice mindful diet and mindful company: avoid habitual indulgences that dull discernment, and be cautious about socially sensitive situations (especially shared meals) that can quickly trigger misunderstandings or ruptures.