Shloka 39

Devanagari script

नदी पातयते कूलं नारी पातयते कुलम् / नारीणाञ्च नदीनां च स्वच्छन्दा ललिता गतिः

Transliteration

nadī pātayate kūlaṃ nārī pātayate kulam / nārīṇāñca nadīnāṃ ca svacchandā lalitā gatiḥ

Translation

Sungai boleh meruntuhkan tebingnya; wanita boleh meruntuhkan keturunan. Bagi wanita dan sungai, geraknya bebas dan lemah-lembut indah, namun tidak mudah dibendung.

Word by Word

• नदी: river
• नदी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पातयते: causes to fall, topples
• पातयते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु) [णिच् causative: पातय-]
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• कूलम्: bank, shore
• कूलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• नारी: woman
• नारी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पातयते: causes to fall, ruins
• पातयते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु) [णिच् causative: पातय-]
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• कुलम्: family, lineage
• कुलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• नारीणाम्: of women
• नारीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

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

• नदीनाम्: of rivers
• नदीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

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

• स्वच्छन्दा: free-willed, unrestrained
• स्वच्छन्दा: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वच्छन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying गतिः)

• ललिता: playful, charming
• ललिता: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ललित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying गतिः)

• गतिः: movement, course
• गतिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra) — traditional Garuda Purana dialogue frame

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Unrestrained impulses—like a river’s current—can undermine social continuity; stability requires discernment and self-governance.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-viṣaya pravāha (the flow of sense-objects) and the need for viveka to prevent bondage-producing turbulence.

Application: Cultivate restraint, clear boundaries, and mutual accountability in household life; treat powerful tendencies as energies to channel rather than suppress.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: riverbank/settlement edge

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109.40-42 (insatiability motifs); Garuda Purana 1.109.43 (householder-moksha through restraint)

FAQs

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

It warns that powerful, free-flowing forces—symbolized by rivers and human impulses—can cause harm if not guided by dharma and restraint.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s larger ethical framework: disciplined conduct reduces sinful consequences that otherwise shape one’s post-death experience and karmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice self-control and responsible conduct in relationships and family life; channel strong tendencies with ethical boundaries to prevent avoidable harm.