Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

अग्निरापः स्त्रियो मूर्खाः सर्पा राजकुलानि च / नित्यं परोपसेव्यानि सद्यः प्राणहराणि षट्

Transliteration

agnirāpaḥ striyo mūrkhāḥ sarpā rājakulāni ca / nityaṃ paropasevyāni sadyaḥ prāṇaharāṇi ṣaṭ

Translation

അഗ്നി, ജലം, സ്ത്രീകൾ, മൂഢർ, സർപ്പങ്ങൾ, രാജകുടുംബങ്ങൾ—ഈ ആറിനെയും എപ്പോഴും ജാഗ്രതയോടെ, മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ മാർഗ്ഗനിർദ്ദേശപ്രകാരം മാത്രം സമീപിക്കണം; കാരണം ഇവ ക്ഷണത്തിൽ പ്രാണഹരങ്ങളാകാം.

Word by Word

• अग्निः: fire
• अग्निः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• आपः: waters
• आपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; नित्यबहुवचन (plural-only)

• स्त्रियः: women
• स्त्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• मूर्खाः: fools
• मूर्खाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• सर्पाः: snakes
• सर्पाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• राजकुलानि: royal households/courts
• राजकुलानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज + कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (राज्ञः कुलानि = royal families/courts)

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

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Adhikarana (Adverbial/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्यय (adverb: always)

• परोपसेव्यानि: to be attended/approached
• परोपसेव्यानि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + उपसेव्य (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मणि-तव्यत् (gerundive: to be served/attended); तत्पुरुष (परान् उपसेव्यानि = to be approached/served with caution)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Adhikarana (Adverbial/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (immediately)

• प्राणहराणि: life-taking
• प्राणहराणि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राण + हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (प्राणान् हरन्ति = life-taking)

• षट्: six
• षट्: Sankhya (Numeral/संख्या)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षष् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचनार्थे (six)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain forces (elements, social powers, and unstable persons) are inherently risky; dharma includes prudent approach, humility, and situational awareness.

Vedantic Theme: Recognition of prakṛti’s volatility and the need for viveka (discernment) in vyavahāra; avoiding saṅga that leads to bondage and harm.

Application: Exercise caution around hazardous environments and power structures; seek competent guidance; practice risk management without paranoia.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: court/royal precinct (social space)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.9-12 (social observations leading into this cautionary list)

FAQs

What is the importance of this teaching in the Garuda Purana?

It summarizes a dharmic rule of prudence: certain forces and social spheres can quickly turn fatal, so one should act with restraint, proper protocol, and informed guidance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader aim of preventing untimely death; avoiding reckless danger helps one fulfill duties (dharma) and prepare properly for end-of-life rites rather than facing sudden, unprepared departure.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat hazards (fire, water), volatile situations (dangerous people, snakes), and high-stakes institutions (power/royal courts) with extra caution—seek expert help, follow safety rules, and avoid impulsive confrontation.