Shloka 34
सुखमृद्धिर्यशः कीर्तिरित्येते धर्मसूनवः / कामस्य च रतिर्भार्या तत्पुत्रो हर्ष उच्यते
sukhamṛddhiryaśaḥ kīrtirityete dharmasūnavaḥ / kāmasya ca ratirbhāryā tatputro harṣa ucyate
Sukha, ṛddhi, yaśa dan kīrti—itulah yang dikatakan sebagai putera-putera Dharma. Dan Rati dinyatakan sebagai isteri Kāma; anak mereka disebut Harṣa (kegembiraan).
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Dharma yields sukha and prosperity and social esteem; kāma, when paired with rati (right enjoyment/affection), culminates in harṣa (joy).
Vedantic Theme: Purushārtha harmony: kāma is not rejected but integrated under dharma; sattvic joy arises when desire is aligned with order.
Application: Pursue prosperity and recognition through ethical means; cultivate healthy, dharmic relationships where desire is tempered by respect and responsibility, leading to stable joy.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.5 (virtue and progeny catalog continues)
FAQs
This verse presents happiness, prosperity, fame, and renown as outcomes personified as Dharma’s offspring—implying that righteous living naturally gives rise to these supportive qualities in life.
Indirectly, it frames Dharma as the root of auspicious states (sukha, ṛddhi, yaśas, kīrti), which the Garuda Purana often contrasts with suffering born of adharma—setting the ethical basis for later discussions on consequences after death.
Prioritize dharmic conduct—truthfulness, restraint, and duty—because the text portrays lasting well-being and good reputation as fruits that arise from Dharma, not merely from desire or chance.