Shloka 35
यो वात्मनीह न गुरौ न च भृत्यवर्गे दीने दयां न कुरुते न च मित्रकार्ये / किं तस्य जीवितफलेनमनुष्यलोके काको ऽपि जीवति चिरं च बलिं च भुङ्क्ते
yo vātmanīha na gurau na ca bhṛtyavarge dīne dayāṃ na kurute na ca mitrakārye / kiṃ tasya jīvitaphalenamanuṣyaloke kāko 'pi jīvati ciraṃ ca baliṃ ca bhuṅkte
What fruit is there in a person’s life in this human world if he cares not even for himself, nor for his guru, nor for those who depend on him; if he shows no compassion to the helpless and does not stand by a friend in need? Even a crow lives long and eats the bali-offerings.
Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa)
Concept: Human life is justified by relational duties: care for self, reverence to guru, responsibility to dependents, compassion to the needy, and loyalty to friends.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as purifier of antaḥkaraṇa; human birth as rare opportunity for ethical maturation (manuṣya-janma-sāphalya).
Application: Practice concrete compassion (support the vulnerable), uphold teacher/mentor obligations, and show up for friends in crisis; audit neglect in one’s responsibilities.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.115.36 (trivarga-shunya days); Garuda Purana 1.115.37 (paradhinata)
FAQs
This verse treats compassion to the helpless as a defining mark of meaningful human life; without dayā, longevity or social status has little spiritual value.
It frames human life as purposeful only when one fulfills basic dharmic responsibilities—care for self-discipline, respect for the guru, protection of dependents, mercy to the distressed, and loyalty to friends.
Practice tangible compassion (help the vulnerable), honor teachers/mentors, take responsibility for those who rely on you, and show up for friends during difficulties—otherwise life is reduced to mere survival.