Shloka 55

Devanagari script

सुनेत्रः क्षेत्रवृत्तिश्च सुनयो धर्मपो दृढः / धृतिमानव्ययश्चैव निशारूपो निरुत्सुकः

Transliteration

sunetraḥ kṣetravṛttiśca sunayo dharmapo dṛḍhaḥ / dhṛtimānavyayaścaiva niśārūpo nirutsukaḥ

Translation

Es de visión clara, firme en los deberes de su condición y de buena conducta; un protector sólido del dharma—dotado de fortaleza, inmutable e imperecedero; de forma nocturna (que se mueve en secreto) y libre de inquietud o deseo.

Word by Word

• सुनेत्रः: Sunetra (good-eyed; a name)
• सुनेत्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः; नाम

• क्षेत्रवृत्तिः: Kṣetravṛtti (one whose conduct is in the field; a name)
• क्षेत्रवृत्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (क्षेत्रस्य वृत्तिः) ; नाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• सुनयः: Sunaya (good conduct; a name)
• सुनयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (प्रातिपदिक) + नय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः; नाम

• धर्मपः: Dharmapa (protector/imbiber of dharma; a name)
• धर्मपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (धर्मं पिबति/पालयति इति) ; नाम

• दृढः: Dṛḍha (firm; a name)
• दृढः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नाम/विशेषण-रूपेण

• धृतिमान्: Dhṛtimān (possessing fortitude; a name)
• धृतिमान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृति (प्रातिपदिक) + मतुप् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; मतुपन्त (possessive)

• अव्ययः: Avyaya (imperishable; a name)
• अव्ययः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नाम (not indeclinable here)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/also
• एव: Modifier
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle)

• निशारूपः: Niśārūpa (night-formed; a name)
• निशारूपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (निशायाः रूपः) ; नाम

• निरुत्सुकः: Nirutsuka (unconcerned; a name)
• निरुत्सुकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर् (उपसर्ग) + उत्सुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नञ्/निर्-प्रयोगेण निषेधार्थ (uninterested) ; नाम

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ideal ruler/guardian type: clear-sighted, rooted in one’s station, firm protector of dharma, inwardly steady and free from craving.

Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya (nirutsukatā) and dhṛti (steadfast mind) as supports for sattva and right action; karma-yoga spirit—acting without agitation.

Application: Cultivate steadiness under pressure, protect ethical norms, and reduce craving-driven reactivity; practice ‘night-formed’ discretion—quietly doing right without display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana virtue-catalog style passages describing exemplary sons/kings

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma-protection (dharmapa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that true righteousness is not passive: a virtuous person is steady, disciplined, and actively safeguards dharma through conduct aligned with one’s rightful duties.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

By stressing steadiness, self-restraint, and unwavering conduct, it points to the inner qualities that support spiritual progress and reduce binding desire—key prerequisites for a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate clear judgment, do your rightful work ethically, remain firm under pressure, and act without restless craving—these traits stabilize character and support dharmic decision-making.