Shloka 27
Nītisāra: Virtuous Association, Household Dharma, and Kāla (Time) as the Supreme Regulator
व्यालीकण्ठप्रदेशाह्यपि च फणभृद्भाषणा या च रौद्री या कृष्णा व्याकुलागी रुधिरनयनसंव्याकुला व्याघ्रकल्पा / क्रोधे यैवोग्रवक्त्रा स्फुरदनलशिखा काकजिह्वा कराला सेव्या न स्त्री विदग्धा परपुरगमना भ्रान्तचित्ता विराक्त
vyālīkaṇṭhapradeśāhyapi ca phaṇabhṛdbhāṣaṇā yā ca raudrī yā kṛṣṇā vyākulāgī rudhiranayanasaṃvyākulā vyāghrakalpā / krodhe yaivogravaktrā sphuradanalaśikhā kākajihvā karālā sevyā na strī vidagdhā parapuragamanā bhrāntacittā virākta
Seorang wanita yang leher dan tengkuknya seakan ular, bicaranya seperti ular berkepala hud; yang garang dan gelap, sentiasa gelisah, bermata merah berdarah dan bertabiat seperti harimau; yang ketika marah berwajah ngeri seolah-olah nyala api memercik, berlidah seperti gagak dan rupa yang menggerunkan—wanita yang licik namun rosak, yang pergi ke rumah lelaki lain, fikirannya sesat dan tiada kasih sejati—janganlah dicari atau dipelihara sebagai teman hidup.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)
Concept: Avoid association with a person whose character is dominated by krodha, restlessness, deceit, and infidelity; external ‘cleverness’ (vidagdhatā) without virtue is dangerous.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas/rajas-driven mind (vyākulatā, bhrānti) obscures sattva; uncontrolled krodha is a binding force that destroys peace and dharma.
Application: Do not romanticize charisma or ‘sharpness’ when paired with cruelty and betrayal; prioritize emotional regulation, fidelity, and trustworthiness in close relationships.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: household
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108.25 (domestic threats equated with death); Garuda Purana 1.108.26 (avoid wicked company); Garuda Purana 1.108.23-24 (spousal vice/virtue contrast)
FAQs
This verse functions as a dharma-guideline for householders, warning against companionship that is marked by cruelty, uncontrolled anger, deceit, and sexual misconduct—traits seen as destructive to family order and spiritual progress.
While the Garuda Purana is famous for afterlife descriptions, it also stresses ethical living as the root of one’s post-death fate; controlling passions and avoiding adharmic relationships is presented as foundational conduct.
Treat it as a caution against toxic, unfaithful, and abusive behavior in relationships—prioritize trust, self-control, and emotional steadiness, and avoid alliances that normalize deceit or harm.