Shloka 71

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

Devanagari script

अकृजज्ञमनार्यञ्च दीर्धरोषमनार्जवम् / चतुरो विद्धि चाण्डालाञ्जात्या जायेत पञ्चमः

Transliteration

akṛjajñamanāryañca dīrdharoṣamanārjavam / caturo viddhi cāṇḍālāñjātyā jāyeta pañcamaḥ

Translation

Know four kinds of people as caṇḍālas: the ungrateful, the ignoble, the long-resentful, and the dishonest. One who is born as a fifth is an outcaste by birth.

Word by Word

• अकृजज्ञम्: one ignorant of proper conduct
• अकृजज्ञम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकृजज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक; अ- + कृजज्ञ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (one who does not know proper conduct/ritual)

• अनार्यम्: ignoble
• अनार्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनार्य (प्रातिपदिक; अ- + आर्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• दीर्धरोषम्: long-angered
• दीर्धरोषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्धरोष (प्रातिपदिक; दीर्घ + रोष)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (long-lasting anger)

• अनार्जवम्: dishonest / not straightforward
• अनार्जवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनार्जव (प्रातिपदिक; अ- + आर्जव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (crookedness/lack of straightforwardness)

• चतुरः: four (persons/types)
• चतुरः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक (four)

• विद्धि: know (you)
• विद्धि: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• चाण्डालान्: as outcastes (caṇḍālas)
• चाण्डालान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चाण्डाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• जात्या: by birth
• जात्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु-अर्थे (by birth/as to birth)

• जायेत: would be born / becomes
• जायेत: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• पञ्चमः: the fifth (one)
• पञ्चमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक (the fifth)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Moral traits (ingratitude, ignobility, long-held wrath, dishonesty) render one socially and ethically 'outcaste' irrespective of birth; additionally, there is a category of outcaste by birth.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa and conduct (ācāra) as determinants of inner purity; tension between ethical universalism (character-based) and inherited social categories (birth-based).

Application: Treat chronic dishonesty, vindictiveness, and betrayal as serious character faults to correct early; choose trustworthy associates; cultivate forgiveness and straightforwardness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana moral lists: kṛtaghna condemnation; warnings against krodha and anṛjava (crookedness)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Caṇḍāla

FAQs

What is the importance of moral conduct in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse frames “outcaste-like” status primarily through character—ingratitude, ignobility, long-held anger, and dishonesty—showing that adharma is measured by conduct and inner disposition.

How does this verse explain karma in daily life?

By listing specific harmful traits, it implies that sustained negative tendencies shape one’s karmic trajectory and social-spiritual standing, not merely external identity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice gratitude, cultivate noble behavior, release resentment quickly, and be straightforward in speech and dealings—these are presented as core markers of dharmic life.