Shloka 12

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

Overcoming Grief

Devanagari script

भाग्यक्षयेषु क्षीयन्ते नोपभोगेन सम्पदः / पूर्वार्जिते हि सुकृते न नश्यन्ति कदाचन

Transliteration

bhāgyakṣayeṣu kṣīyante nopabhogena sampadaḥ / pūrvārjite hi sukṛte na naśyanti kadācana

Translation

भाग्यस्य क्षये सम्पदः क्षीयन्ते, न केवलं भोगेन; पूर्वार्जितं हि सुकृतं पुण्यं कदाचन न नश्यति।

Word by Word

• भाग्य-क्षयेषु: in the decline of fortune
• भाग्य-क्षयेषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाग्य (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: भाग्यस्य क्षयः)

• क्षीयन्ते: they diminish
• क्षीयन्ते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षी (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• उपभोगेन: by enjoyment/consumption
• उपभोगेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपभोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• सम्पदः: wealth/prosperities
• सम्पदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्पद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• पूर्व-आर्जिते: in what was previously earned
• पूर्व-आर्जिते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आर्जित (कृदन्त, √अर्ज्)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (सुकृते इति विशेष्ये); कर्मधारय-समास (पूर्वं आर्जितम्)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• सुकृते: in merit/virtuous deed
• सुकृते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुकृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• नश्यन्ति: they perish
• नश्यन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• कदाचन: ever/at any time
• कदाचन: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Worldly wealth is contingent on bhāgya, but accumulated merit (puṇya) is enduring and not destroyed by time or consumption.

Vedantic Theme: Distinction between anitya (perishable) external acquisitions and the relatively enduring saṃskāra/adr̥ṣṭa of karma; encouragement toward dharmic investment over material clinging.

Application: Prioritize dharma, charity, and sattvic conduct; treat gains/losses as cyclical; build ‘spiritual capital’ through consistent good deeds and devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa themes: karma-phala continuity and the non-utility of mere wealth at death (general parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of punya (sukrita) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that wealth can decline when fortune runs out, but previously earned merit (sukrita/puṇya) never perishes—implying it remains a lasting spiritual asset.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By distinguishing temporary material prosperity from imperishable merit, it points to karma as the enduring support for the jīva beyond changing worldly conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize dharmic actions, charity, and self-discipline: material gains fluctuate, but ethical merit is portrayed as the lasting safeguard.