Shloka 9
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
न राज्ञा सह मित्रत्वं न सर्पो निर्विषः क्रचित् / न कुलं निर्मलं तत्र स्त्रीजनो यत्र जायते
na rājñā saha mitratvaṃ na sarpo nirviṣaḥ kracit / na kulaṃ nirmalaṃ tatra strījano yatra jāyate
രാജാവിനോടുള്ള സൗഹൃദം ഒരിക്കലും നിർഭയമല്ല; സർപ്പവും ഒരിക്കലും നിർവിഷമല്ല. അതുപോലെ സ്ത്രീകൾ ജനിക്കുന്ന കുലം പൂർണ്ണമായി നിർമ്മലമെന്നു കരുതപ്പെടുന്നില്ല।
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra context)
Concept: Be cautious in alliances with power (kings) and with inherently risky entities (serpents); the final clause expresses a misogynistic nīti trope about ‘taint’—best read as a warning about household vulnerabilities rather than a metaphysical truth.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka in saṅga (association) and recognition of anitya (instability) in worldly relations; also illustrates how nīti can be colored by social bias (to be corrected by higher dharma).
Application: Maintain boundaries with powerful people; do not assume safety where structural incentives create risk; challenge and refine inherited biases with ethical reflection.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110.6 (serpent danger motif); Garuda Purana 1.110.5 (marriage/lineage counsel; contrasts with later ‘strī’ generalization)
FAQs
It presents a compact piece of nīti (practical ethical counsel), warning that certain worldly associations are inherently unstable or risky and should be approached with prudence.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that disciplined conduct and careful choices in life shape one’s karmic outcomes.
Maintain healthy caution in power-based relationships, avoid complacency about hidden risks, and practice discernment in social judgments—focusing on ethical behavior rather than assumptions.