Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

तावद्भयस्य भेतव्यं यावद्भयमनागतम् / उत्पन्ने तु भये तीव्रे स्थातव्यं वै ह्यभीतवत्

Transliteration

tāvadbhayasya bhetavyaṃ yāvadbhayamanāgatam / utpanne tu bhaye tīvre sthātavyaṃ vai hyabhītavat

Translation

Fear danger only so long as it has not yet arrived. But when fierce danger has truly arisen, stand firm—indeed, as though fearless.

Word by Word

• तावत्: so long
• तावत्: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभावार्थ)
• Form: अव्यय (परिमाण/अवधि-बोधक), अर्थे ‘एतावद्-कालम्’

• भयस्य: of fear
• भयस्य: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• भेतव्यम्: is to be feared/should be feared
• भेतव्यम्: Vidhi (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भी (धातु) → भेतव्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भावे प्रयोगः (कर्तव्यता)

• यावत्: as long as
• यावत्: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययार्थ)
• Form: अव्यय (यावत्-तावत्-सम्बन्धे), अर्थे ‘यावद्-कालम्’

• भयम्: fear (the danger)
• भयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अनागतम्: not yet arrived
• अनागतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्-आ-गम् (धातु) → अनागत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-पूर्वक (not come)

• उत्पन्ने: when arisen
• उत्पन्ने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत् + पद् (धातु) → उत्पन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (भये इति सापेक्ष)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय (विरोध/विशेषार्थक particle)

• भये: in fear
• भये: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• तीव्रे: intense
• तीव्रे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीव्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (भये)

• स्थातव्यम्: one should stand/hold firm
• स्थातव्यम्: Vidhi (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थातव्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भावे प्रयोगः

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

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

• अभीतवत्: like one who is fearless
• अभीतवत्: Prakara (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अभीत (प्रातिपदिक; a- + भीत) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: वत्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (उपमानार्थक adverb), अर्थे ‘अभीत इव’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Balanced fear: foresight before danger; fearlessness and steadiness during danger.

Vedantic Theme: Samatva and sthitaprajñā-like composure: when events arise, act from buddhi rather than panic (rajas/tamas).

Application: Prepare contingencies (training, savings, safety plans); once crisis occurs, execute calmly—breathing, prioritization, decisive action.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana nīti themes: apramāda, dhairya, and presence of mind in adversity (general thematic parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of fearlessness (abhaya) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that prudence is useful before danger arrives, but once hardship is present, dharma requires steadiness and a fearless, composed response rather than panic.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it trains the mind in non-panic and steadiness—qualities that support dharmic living and preparedness for inevitable transitions like illness, loss, and death discussed elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Take sensible precautions for future risks, but if a crisis occurs, focus on calm action—stabilize the mind, do what is right, and avoid fear-driven choices.