Shloka 9

Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed

Devanagari script

धर्मार्थं जीवितं येषां दुर्गाण्यतितरन्ति ते / सन्तुष्टः को न शक्नोति फलमूलैश्च वर्तितुम्

Transliteration

dharmārthaṃ jīvitaṃ yeṣāṃ durgāṇyatitaranti te / santuṣṭaḥ ko na śaknoti phalamūlaiśca vartitum

Translation

ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਧਰਮ ਲਈ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਕਠਿਨ ਮੁਸੀਬਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਪਾਰ ਕਰ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜੋ ਸੰਤੁਸ਼ਟ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਫਲ-ਮੂਲ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ ਸਕਦਾ?

Word by Word

• धर्मार्थम्: for dharma’s sake
• धर्मार्थम्: Hetu (Purpose/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासवत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोगः; द्वितीया-एकवचनरूपेण ‘धर्मस्य अर्थाय/धर्मार्थम्’ (for the sake of dharma)

• जीवितम्: life
• जीवितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• येषाम्: of whom
• येषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम

• दुर्गाणि: difficulties/dangers
• दुर्गाणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• अतितरन्ति: they cross over/surmount
• अतितरन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अति + तॄ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग ‘अति’

• ते: they/those
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सन्तुष्टः: content (person)
• सन्तुष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + तुष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘content/satisfied’

• कः: who
• कः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक-सर्वनाम

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• शक्नोति: is able
• शक्नोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शक् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• फलमूलैः: with fruits and roots
• फलमूलैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (fruits and roots)

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

• वर्तितुम्: to subsist/live
• वर्तितुम्: Kriya (Infinitive/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), अव्ययवत्; ‘to live/maintain oneself’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A life oriented to dharma overcomes ‘durga’ (hard passages); contentment enables simple living.

Vedantic Theme: Vairagya and titiksha as supports for dharmic life; reduction of desire weakens suffering.

Application: Prioritize principles over convenience; practice contentment; adopt voluntary simplicity (moderation in consumption) to build resilience.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: praise of dharma-niṣṭhā and saṃtoṣa as protectors in crisis (general internal parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of contentment (santoṣa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents contentment as a spiritual strength: a satisfied person can endure simplicity and scarcity without falling from dharma.

How does this verse relate to overcoming suffering or obstacles?

It states that when life is oriented to dharma, even 'durgas'—severe difficulties—can be crossed, implying inner discipline is the bridge over adversity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize ethical duty over convenience, reduce needless wants, and practice simple living—so hardships do not force compromises in values.