Shloka 35
Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā
यो वात्मनीह न गुरौ न च भृत्यवर्गे दीने दयां न कुरुते न च मित्रकार्ये / किं तस्य जीवितफलेनमनुष्यलोके काको ऽपि जीवति चिरं च बलिं च भुङ्क्ते
yo vātmanīha na gurau na ca bhṛtyavarge dīne dayāṃ na kurute na ca mitrakārye / kiṃ tasya jīvitaphalenamanuṣyaloke kāko 'pi jīvati ciraṃ ca baliṃ ca bhuṅkte
Apa guna buah hidup di dunia manusia bagi orang yang tak peduli pada diri sendiri, tak pada guru, tak pada tanggungan; yang tak berbelas kasih kepada yang lemah dan tak berdiri bagi sahabat saat perlu? Gagak pun hidup lama dan memakan persembahan.
Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa)
Concept: Human life is justified by relational duties: care for self, reverence to guru, responsibility to dependents, compassion to the needy, and loyalty to friends.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as purifier of antaḥkaraṇa; human birth as rare opportunity for ethical maturation (manuṣya-janma-sāphalya).
Application: Practice concrete compassion (support the vulnerable), uphold teacher/mentor obligations, and show up for friends in crisis; audit neglect in one’s responsibilities.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.115.36 (trivarga-shunya days); Garuda Purana 1.115.37 (paradhinata)
FAQs
This verse treats compassion to the helpless as a defining mark of meaningful human life; without dayā, longevity or social status has little spiritual value.
It frames human life as purposeful only when one fulfills basic dharmic responsibilities—care for self-discipline, respect for the guru, protection of dependents, mercy to the distressed, and loyalty to friends.
Practice tangible compassion (help the vulnerable), honor teachers/mentors, take responsibility for those who rely on you, and show up for friends during difficulties—otherwise life is reduced to mere survival.