Shloka 5

Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma

Devanagari script

यदिच्छेच्छाश्वतीं प्रीतिं त्रीन्दोषान्परिवर्जयेत् / द्युतमर्थप्रयोगञ्च परोक्षे दारदर्शनम्

Transliteration

yadicchecchāśvatīṃ prītiṃ trīndoṣānparivarjayet / dyutamarthaprayogañca parokṣe dāradarśanam

Translation

永く和合と愛情を望むなら、三つの過ちを避けよ――賭博、財の邪用、そして夫の不在に他人の妻を密かに見舞い会うこと。

Word by Word

• यदि: if
• यदि: Sambandha (Condition/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: शर्तार्थक-अव्यय (conditional particle)

• इच्छेत्: should desire
• इच्छेत्: Karta (Agent implied/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारार्थे विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष? (actually 3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शाश्वतीम्: eternal, lasting
• शाश्वतीम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śāśvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘prītiṃ’)

• प्रीतिम्: affection, love
• प्रीतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• त्रीन्: three
• त्रीन्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण (qualifying ‘doṣān’)

• दोषान्: faults, vices
• दोषान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: doṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• परिवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• परिवर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: परि-

• द्युतम्: gambling
• द्युतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dyuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अर्थ-प्रयोगम्: use/misuse of money
• अर्थ-प्रयोगम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक) + prayoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (arthasya prayogaḥ = use of wealth)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• परोक्षे: in (someone's) absence
• परोक्षे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; अवस्थानिर्देश (in absence)

• दार-दर्शनम्: looking at (another’s) wife/wives
• दार-दर्शनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāra (प्रातिपदिक) + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (dārāṇāṃ darśanam = seeing another’s wife/wives)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lasting affection (शाश्वती प्रीति) is protected by avoiding three दोषाः: dyūta (gambling), artha-aprayoga/abuse of wealth, and parokṣe dāra-darśana (clandestine meeting/looking upon another’s wife).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-hetu nivṛtti: removing causes of bondage and suffering by restraining rajas/tamas-driven impulses.

Application: Avoid gambling and speculative addiction; handle money transparently and responsibly; maintain strict boundaries and fidelity; reduce secrecy that breeds distrust.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.6 (sense-force and seclusion); Garuda Purana 1.114.7 (consequences of methods adopted; punishment)

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding these three faults in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames lasting prīti (stable harmony) as dependent on rejecting three relationship-destroying vices—gambling, improper handling of wealth, and secret illicit association—thereby protecting dharma and household stability.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

While not describing the afterlife directly, it lays the ethical groundwork (ācāra) that shapes karma; disciplined conduct supports sattvic living and reduces actions that later mature into suffering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid addictive gambling, practice transparent and responsible financial behavior, and maintain strict boundaries that prevent secrecy and infidelity—these preserve trust and long-term peace in family life.