Shloka 21

Nītisāra: Virtuous Association, Household Dharma, and Kāla (Time) as the Supreme Regulator

Devanagari script

एतदादिक्रियायुक्ता सर्वसौ भाग्यवर्धिनी / यस्येदृशी भवेद्भाय्या स देवेन्द्रोन मानुषः

Transliteration

etadādikriyāyuktā sarvasau bhāgyavardhinī / yasyedṛśī bhavedbhāyyā sa devendrona mānuṣaḥ

Translation

ఇలాంటి విధినిర్దిష్ట క్రియాకర్తవ్యాలలో నిమగ్నమైన భార్య సర్వవిధాలా సౌభాగ్యాన్ని పెంపొందిస్తుంది; ఎవరికీ ఇలాంటి భార్య ఉంటే అతడు మనుష్యుల్లో దేవేంద్రుని సమానుడు.

Word by Word

• एतदादिक्रियायुक्ता: endowed with such and similar practices
• एतदादिक्रियायुक्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् + आदि + क्रिया + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक; युज्-धातु-आधारित क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (एतदादिकाभिः क्रियाभिः युक्ता)

• सर्वसा: entirely, in every way
• सर्वसा: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: entirely/altogether)

• भाग्यवर्धिनी: increasing good fortune
• भाग्यवर्धिनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भाग्य + वर्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक; वर्ध्-धातु-आधारित)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (भाग्यं वर्धयति इति)

• यस्य: whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative)

• ईदृशी: such (of this kind)
• ईदृशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of भार्या)

• भवेत्: may be / would be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भार्या: wife
• भार्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• देवेन्द्रः: Indra, lord of the gods
• देवेन्द्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (देवानाम् इन्द्रः)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• मानुषः: a human (mere man)
• मानुषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A wife aligned with prescribed duties and rites becomes a source of sarva-saubhāgya; such a household confers exceptional status.

Vedantic Theme: Karma (right action) performed in dharma generates auspicious results (puṇya) and supports inner refinement.

Application: Treat daily responsibilities and shared rituals as stabilizing practices; recognize and honor contributions that sustain family flourishing.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108.18-20, 1.108.22 (context: virtues contrasted with faults)

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Devendra)

FAQs

What is the importance of household rites (kriyā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents proper observances and duties as prosperity-enhancing, especially when upheld within the household through disciplined conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or afterlife themes?

Indirectly: it emphasizes dharma and meritorious conduct (kriyā), which the Garuda Purana elsewhere links to favorable post-death outcomes and reduced suffering after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a dhārmic home through shared duties, ethical living, and regular sacred observances; supportive partnership is portrayed as a major source of stability and auspiciousness.