Shloka 13

Nītisāra: Virtuous Association, Household Dharma, and Kāla (Time) as the Supreme Regulator

Devanagari script

परीवादं परार्थं च परिहासं परस्त्रियम् / परवेश्मनि वासं च न कुर्वीत कदाचन

Transliteration

parīvādaṃ parārthaṃ ca parihāsaṃ parastriyam / paraveśmani vāsaṃ ca na kurvīta kadācana

Translation

決して中傷にふけらず、他人の財を貪らず、嘲りの戯れに溺れず、他人の妻を求めず、また他人の家に住まうこともしてはならない。

Word by Word

• परीवादम्: slander, backbiting
• परीवादम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परीवाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• परार्थम्: another’s wealth/interest (what belongs to another)
• परार्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परार्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (परस्य अर्थः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• परिहासम्: mockery, ridicule
• परिहासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिहास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परस्त्रियम्: another man’s wife
• परस्त्रियम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर-स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (परस्य स्त्री), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परवेश्मनि: in another’s house
• परवेश्मनि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर-वेश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (परस्य वेश्म), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• वासम्: dwelling, staying
• वासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• कुर्वीत: should do
• कुर्वीत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• कदाचन: ever, at any time
• कदाचन: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (adverb of time)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Avoidance of five socially destructive acts: slander, covetousness, ridicule, adultery, and dependence/residence in another’s house.

Vedantic Theme: Purification of antaḥkaraṇa through yama-like restraints; reducing rāga-dveṣa that bind karma.

Application: Practice speech-discipline (no gossip/slander), contentment with one’s means, respectful humor, strict marital boundaries, and independent livelihood/housing where possible.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108 (sadācāra/ācāra-nīti context)

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding slander (parīvāda) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats slander as a direct breach of dharma—harmful speech that corrupts character and becomes a root cause for future suffering through negative karma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to karma?

By listing concrete actions to avoid (harmful speech, covetousness, ridicule, adultery, improper dependence), it implies that the soul’s post-death trajectory is shaped by everyday ethical choices that accumulate karmic consequences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid gossip and public shaming, do not pursue what belongs to others, keep relationships faithful, and maintain healthy boundaries rather than living off others—these disciplines protect integrity and reduce karmic harm.