लालने बहवो दोषास्ताडने बहवो गुणाः / तस्माच्छिष्यं च पुत्रं च ताडयेन्न तु लालयेत्
lālane bahavo doṣāstāḍane bahavo guṇāḥ / tasmācchiṣyaṃ ca putraṃ ca tāḍayenna tu lālayet
Indulgent pampering breeds many faults, while firm correction nurtures many virtues. Therefore one should discipline both the disciple and the son, and not merely coddle them.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Proper correction (daṇḍa/śikṣā) prevents faults; disciplined upbringing forms character in son and student.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi through niyama and saṃskāra; mastery of senses as a basis for higher pursuit.
Application: Practice consistent, proportionate discipline; set boundaries, give corrective feedback, and avoid enabling habits in children/students.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (nīti/dharma sections around 1.115) on sadācāra and self-control
This verse frames discipline as a dharmic tool that builds guṇas (virtues), while unchecked pampering increases doṣas (faults), especially in students and children.
Indirectly, it links character-formation to dharma: cultivating virtues through correction supports right conduct, which in Purāṇic ethics shapes karma and future outcomes.
Prefer consistent, principled correction and accountability in education and parenting over indulgence—aimed at building self-control, responsibility, and good habits.