Shloka 10
Characteristics of the King and His Servants
Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue
व्याघ्रीव तिष्ठति जरा परितर्जयन्ती रोगाश्च शत्रव इव प्रभवन्ति गात्रे / आयुः परिस्त्रवति भिन्नघटादिवाम्भो लोको न चात्महितमाचरतीह कश्चित्
vyāghrīva tiṣṭhati jarā paritarjayantī rogāśca śatrava iva prabhavanti gātre / āyuḥ paristravati bhinnaghaṭādivāmbho loko na cātmahitamācaratīha kaścit
Usia tua berdiri laksana harimau betina yang terus mengancam; penyakit pun bangkit di tubuh seperti musuh. Umur merembes pergi bagaikan air dari kendi yang retak; namun di dunia ini hampir tiada yang menempuh jalan yang sungguh bermanfaat bagi Ātman.
Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Anityatā (impermanence) and pramāda (spiritual negligence): despite inevitable aging, disease, and dwindling lifespan, people fail to pursue ātma-hita.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka-vairāgya: discern the transient body-life from the enduring Self; turn from pramāda toward sādhana.
Application: Daily contemplation of death/impermanence; prioritize sādhanā, ethical living, and devotion over procrastination and mere bodily concerns.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta-kalpa themes): anityatā, kāla, jarā, mṛtyu as motivators for dharma and bhakti (general parallel motifs)
FAQs
This verse uses vivid images—old age as a tigress and life draining like water—to press urgency: since decline is certain, one should prioritize ātma-hita (spiritual welfare) now, not later.
By stressing that time, aging, and illness inevitably overtake the body, it redirects attention from bodily security to actions that benefit the enduring self—dharma, restraint, and spiritual practice that support the soul’s higher journey.
Treat health, time, and comfort as unstable; set daily non-negotiables for dharma—truthfulness, charity, japa/prayer, and ethical living—so spiritual priorities are not postponed until crisis.