Shloka 3

Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya

Overcoming Grief

Devanagari script

पण्डितैश्च विर्नातैश्च धर्मशैः सत्यवादिभिः / बन्ध्स्थो ऽपि तिष्ठेच्च न तु राज्ये खलैः सह

Transliteration

paṇḍitaiśca virnātaiśca dharmaśaiḥ satyavādibhiḥ / bandhstho 'pi tiṣṭhecca na tu rājye khalaiḥ saha

Translation

Лучше жить даже в заточении среди учёных, дисциплинированных, знающих дхарму и говорящих истину, чем жить в царстве в обществе злодеев.

Word by Word

• पण्डितैः: with scholars
• पण्डितैः: करण (Instrument/सहचर)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Conjunction)

• विर्नातैः: with the well-known/learned (reading uncertain)
• विर्नातैः: करण (Instrument/सहचर)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विर्नात (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √ज्ञा/√ना? अनिश्चित पाठ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (Past participle) — पाठदोष/अस्पष्ट रूप

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Conjunction)

• धर्मशैः: with those skilled in dharma (reading uncertain)
• धर्मशैः: करण (Instrument/सहचर)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मश (प्रातिपदिक; पाठदोष/अस्पष्ट—सम्भवतः धर्मज्ञैः)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; पाठानुसार रूपम् अस्पष्ट

• सत्यवादिभिः: with truth-speakers
• सत्यवादिभिः: करण (Instrument/सहचर)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य + वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सत्यस्य वादी)

• बन्ध्स्थः: being in bondage/imprisoned
• बन्ध्स्थः: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बन्ध + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (बन्धे स्थितः)

• अपि: even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/अवधारण (Concessive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Particle)

• तिष्ठेत्: should stay/remain
• तिष्ठेत्: क्रिया
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Conjunction)

• न: not
• न: निषेध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Negation particle)

• तु: but
• तु: विरोध/व्यतिरेक
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Adversative particle)

• राज्ये: in a kingdom/rule
• राज्ये: अधिकरण (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• खलैः: with wicked people
• खलैः: सहचर (Association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: सहचर
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Postposition/Preverb meaning 'with')

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Better adversity with the righteous than comfort with the wicked; moral environment outweighs material status.

Vedantic Theme: Preference for sattvic association over rajasic power; inner freedom valued over outer sovereignty.

Application: Choose ethical workplaces and mentors even at personal cost; prioritize truth-speaking communities over prestige.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: confinement/ashrama vs kingdom/court (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana niti passages valuing pandita-sanga and condemning durjana-sanga (general thematic parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of good company (satsanga) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prioritizes association with learned, truthful, dharmic people over comfort or political power, teaching that character and influence shape one’s conduct and destiny.

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

By emphasizing truth and dharma as the preferred environment, it implies that one’s moral choices and associations cultivate merits (puṇya) that support a favorable post-death course, unlike the corrupting influence of wicked company.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose mentors, friends, and communities that value truth and ethical conduct—even if it limits status or convenience; avoid environments where wrongdoing is normalized.