Shloka 49

Nīti for Calamity, Wealth, Friendship, Charity, and Restraint of Kāma

Devanagari script

पठने भोजने चित्तं न कुर्याच्छास्त्रसेवकः / सुदूरमपि विद्यार्थो व्रजेद्गरुडवेगवान्

Transliteration

paṭhane bhojane cittaṃ na kuryācchāstrasevakaḥ / sudūramapi vidyārtho vrajedgaruḍavegavān

Translation

ശാസ്ത്രസേവകനായ साधകൻ പഠനസമയത്ത് ഭോജന-ഭോഗങ്ങളിൽ മനസ്സു പതിപ്പിക്കരുത്. വിദ്യാർത്ഥി വിദ്യാർത്ഥമായി ഗരുഡവേഗംപോലെ ദൃഢനിശ്ചയത്തോടെ ദൂരദേശത്തേക്കും പോകണം.

Word by Word

• पठने: in/at studying (reading)
• पठने: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पठन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative of sphere)

• भोजने: in/at eating
• भोजने: Adhikarana (Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• चित्तम्: mind, attention
• चित्तम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म

• न: not
• न: Modifier (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negative particle)

• कुर्यात्: should do/place
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• शास्त्रसेवकः: a servant/devotee of scripture
• शास्त्रसेवकः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शास्त्रस्य सेवकः)

• सुदूरम्: very far
• सुदूरम्: Deshadhikarana/Goal-extent (Adverbial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुदूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial accusative)

• अपि: even, also
• अपि: Modifier (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-कार (particle: even/also)

• विद्यार्थः: a student (seeker of knowledge)
• विद्यार्थः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विद्यायाः अर्थः/अर्थी) = विद्या-अर्थी

• व्रजेत्: should go
• व्रजेत्: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• गरुडवेगवान्: having Garuḍa-like speed
• गरुडवेगवान्: Karta (Subject-Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक) + वेगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुष (गरुडस्य वेग इव यस्य)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahmacarya-like restraint and single-pointed commitment to śāstra; prioritize vidyā over indulgence.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya support: dama (sense-control) and titikṣā/utsāha enabling jñāna; vairāgya toward bhoga.

Application: Set study-first routines; eat mindfully without obsession; seek mentors and resources even if inconvenient; cultivate ‘Garuḍa-vega’—decisive action toward learning goals.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: educational pilgrimage/teacher’s abode

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109 (didactic/nīti on study and conduct)

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa

FAQs

What is the importance of discipline in scripture study according to the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that a śāstra-sevaka should keep the mind from being driven by indulgence (like preoccupation with food) and instead cultivate focused effort toward learning.

How does this verse relate to the broader Garuda Purana narrative?

Within the Vishnu–Garuḍa dialogue, it functions as a dharma instruction: mastery of knowledge and spiritual progress require self-control and determined pursuit, complementing the Purana’s wider teachings on right conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice mindful eating, reduce distraction during meals, and prioritize learning—be willing to invest time, travel, or effort for authentic guidance and study.