Shloka 93

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

अनावृष्ट्या राजभयान्मूषिकाद्यैरुपद्रवैः / कृष्यादिके भवेद्बाधा सा कुसीदे न विद्यते

Transliteration

anāvṛṣṭyā rājabhayānmūṣikādyairupadravaiḥ / kṛṣyādike bhavedbādhā sā kusīde na vidyate

Translation

In farming and similar livelihoods, obstacles arise from drought, fear of the king, and afflictions such as rats and other pests; but such hindrances are not found in usury (kusīda).

Word by Word

• अनावृष्ट्या: by drought/lack of rain
• अनावृष्ट्या: Hetu/Karana (Cause/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनावृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• राज-भयात्: from fear of the king
• राज-भयात्: Apadana (Source/अपाादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राजस्य भयम्)

• मूषिक-आद्यैः: by rats and the like
• मूषिक-आद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूषिक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (आदि-समास: 'etc.'), अर्थे 'मूषिकादिभिः'

• उपद्रवैः: by calamities/disturbances
• उपद्रवैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपद्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• कृषि-आदिके: in agriculture and such occupations
• कृषि-आदिके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृषि (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (आदि-समास)

• भवेत्: would arise/occur
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• बाधा: obstruction/harm
• बाधा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सा: that (obstruction)
• सा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• कुसीदे: in usury/interest-lending
• कुसीदे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसीद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Avyaya (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• विद्यते: is found/exists
• विद्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु) (आत्मनेपद: विद्/विद्य् ‘to exist/be found’)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Agriculture and similar livelihoods face uncontrollable obstacles (drought, royal fear, pests), whereas usury appears insulated—highlighting why it tempts people despite its moral taint.

Vedantic Theme: Maya of ‘secure gain’: apparent safety can deepen bondage when rooted in adharma; discernment between shreyas and preyas.

Application: Do not choose a livelihood merely for perceived risk-free returns; weigh ethical cost and societal harm alongside stability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: agrarian fields and settlements (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical discussions on artha pursued with dharma; warnings about lobha and exploitation (contextual).

Characters & Entities

• King (Raja)
• Rats (Mushika)

FAQs

What is the importance of kusīda (usury) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights why usury can appear deceptively attractive: unlike farming, it is not directly threatened by drought, royal fear, or pests—setting up a moral critique of profit gained without sharing real-world risk or labor.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes of dharma and conduct?

It contrasts honest livelihoods burdened by natural and social uncertainties with interest-lending that seems insulated from such obstacles, implying the need to evaluate wealth-making methods through dharmic responsibility rather than ease of gain.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose income sources that are fair and socially responsible; if lending money, avoid exploitative interest and prioritize compassion, transparency, and support for those in hardship.