Shloka 40

Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā

Devanagari script

वाचा विहितसार्थेन लोको न च सुखायते / जीवितं मानमूलं हि माने म्लाने कुतः सुखम्?

Transliteration

vācā vihitasārthena loko na ca sukhāyate / jīvitaṃ mānamūlaṃ hi māne mlāne kutaḥ sukham?

Translation

Even if one’s speech is well-shaped and rich in meaning, the world is not made happy thereby. For life rests upon honor; when honor withers, how can happiness arise?

Word by Word

• वाचा: by speech
• वाचा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• विहितसार्थेन: with beneficial (well-intended) words
• विहितसार्थेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विहित (कृदन्त; √धा (धातु) + वि, क्त) + सार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (विहितः सार्थः यस्य/यः) ‘well-meaning/beneficial’

• लोकः: the world/people
• लोकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• च: and/even
• च: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सुखायते: becomes pleasant
• सुखायते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √सुख्/सुख (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; भावे/कर्तरि प्रयोगः ‘becomes pleasant’

• जीवितम्: life
• जीवितम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• मानमूलम्: rooted in honor/self-respect
• मानमूलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मानस्य मूलम्)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• माने: when honor (self-respect)
• माने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• म्लाने: having withered/declined
• म्लाने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: म्लान (कृदन्त; √म्लै (धातु), क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute)

• कुतः: whence/how
• कुतः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कुतः (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (interrogative adverb)

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External approval is unreliable; honor/self-respect sustains life’s happiness—when dignity collapses, joy cannot stand.

Vedantic Theme: Antahkarana-shuddhi and steadiness: happiness rooted in inner integrity rather than fluctuating social validation.

Application: Speak truthfully and meaningfully without craving universal applause; protect dignity through ethical choices, boundaries, and consistency.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.115 (niti on speech, reputation, and conduct)

FAQs

What is the importance of honor (māna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames honor/self-respect as a root-support of one’s lived stability; when it collapses, happiness and ease of life are difficult to sustain.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes ethical cultivation in embodied life—mere verbal knowledge or eloquence is insufficient; inner integrity and lived dharma shape one’s condition and readiness for the post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Let speech be truthful and purposeful, but prioritize character and integrity; protect dignity through dharmic conduct rather than relying on persuasive words alone.