Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

स्त्रियो नश्यन्ति रूपेण तपः क्रोधन नश्यति / गावो द्वरप्रचारेण शूद्रान्नेन द्विजोत्तमः

Transliteration

striyo naśyanti rūpeṇa tapaḥ krodhana naśyati / gāvo dvarapracāreṇa śūdrānnena dvijottamaḥ

Translation

Women are undone by over-attachment to beauty; austerity (tapas) is destroyed by anger. Cows are harmed by constant passing through doorways; and even a foremost twice-born is degraded by eating a Śūdra’s food.

Word by Word

• स्त्रियः: women
• स्त्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• नश्यन्ति: perish/are ruined
• नश्यन्ति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• रूपेण: by beauty/appearance
• रूपेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• तपः: austerity, penance
• तपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• क्रोधेन: by anger
• क्रोधेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; पाठान्तर-सम्भावना: 'क्रोधन' इति अशुद्ध/विकृत-पाठः

• नश्यति: perishes/is ruined
• नश्यति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• गावः: cows
• गावः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• द्वारप्रचारेण: by roaming at the doorway
• द्वारप्रचारेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; 'द्वारप्रचार' इति तत्पुरुष-समास (द्वारे प्रचारः/गमनम्)

• शूद्रान्नेन: by food from a śūdra
• शूद्रान्नेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; 'शूद्रान्न' इति तत्पुरुष-समास (शूद्रस्य अन्नम्)

• द्विजोत्तमः: the best of twice-born (a brahmin)
• द्विजोत्तमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; 'द्विजोत्तम' इति कर्मधारय-समास (उत्तमः द्विजः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Unchecked attachment and anger destroy virtue (tapas) and welfare; neglect harms dependents (cows); impurity in food/association degrades spiritual status.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and krodha-jaya as prerequisites for inner purity; external conduct supports antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi.

Application: Practice moderation in appearance-obsession, cultivate anger management, care for animals responsibly, and observe dietary/ethical boundaries aligned with one’s vows.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana nīti: krodha as destroyer of tapas; rules of purity in eating; Garuda Purana sections on cow-protection and merit of go-sevā (where present in recensions)

FAQs

What is the importance of anger-control in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that krodha (anger) destroys tapas (austerity/spiritual power), so self-control is essential to preserve merit and inner strength.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader dharma teachings?

It summarizes common causes of moral and spiritual decline—attachment, anger, careless habits, and improper food—emphasizing disciplined living as a foundation for dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate restraint (especially over anger), reduce vanity-driven choices, maintain respectful care for animals, and be mindful about what you consume and from whom.