Shloka 18
Nīti for Calamity, Wealth, Friendship, Charity, and Restraint of Kāma
कोर्ऽथं प्राप्य न गर्वितो भुवि नरः कस्यापदोनागताः स्त्रीभिः कस्य न खण्डितं भुवि मनः को नाम राज्ञां प्रियः / कः कालस्य न गोचरान्तरगतः कोर्ऽथो गतो गौरवं को वा दुर्जनवागुरानिपतितः क्षेमेण यातः पुमान्
kor'thaṃ prāpya na garvito bhuvi naraḥ kasyāpadonāgatāḥ strībhiḥ kasya na khaṇḍitaṃ bhuvi manaḥ ko nāma rājñāṃ priyaḥ / kaḥ kālasya na gocarāntaragataḥ kor'tho gato gauravaṃ ko vā durjanavāgurānipatitaḥ kṣemeṇa yātaḥ pumān
Di bumi ini, lelaki manakah yang setelah memperoleh kekayaan tidak menjadi angkuh? Kepada siapakah bencana tidak pernah datang? Hati siapakah yang tidak pernah hancur kerana wanita? Siapakah yang benar-benar dikasihi para raja? Siapakah yang tidak pernah jatuh dalam jangkauan Kala (Waktu), lalu dibawa ke keadaan yang lain? Kekayaan apakah yang pernah mengekalkan kemuliaannya? Dan siapakah yang setelah terjerat perangkap kata-kata orang jahat, dapat pergi dengan selamat?
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Universality of pride after success, inevitability of calamity, instability of royal favor, inescapability of Time, fading of wealth’s glory, and danger of wicked traps.
Vedantic Theme: Kāla as all-devouring; anityatā of artha and rājaprasāda; duḥkha-doṣa-darśana fostering vairāgya and discrimination.
Application: Hold success lightly; avoid dependence on political favor; anticipate change; practice ethical caution with manipulators; invest in inner stability (values, devotion, knowledge).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: courtly/social world
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109 (extended rhetorical nīti on kāla, artha, rāja, strī, durjana)
FAQs
This verse stresses that wealth, status, and relationships are unstable—pride and dependence on them lead to suffering, so one should cultivate detachment and dharmic conduct.
By highlighting Kala’s inescapable reach and constant change, it points the listener away from temporary worldly supports and toward spiritual preparedness and righteous living.
Treat success as temporary, expect reversals without panic, avoid seeking validation from power, be cautious of manipulative people, and anchor decisions in ethics and self-discipline.