Shloka 25
Characteristics of the King and His Servants
Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue
धिग्धिक् शरीरसुखलालितमानवेषु मा खेदयेद्धनकृशं हि शरीरमेव / सद्दारका ह्यधनपाण्डुसुताः श्रुता हि दुःखं विहाय पुनरेव सुखं प्रपन्नाः
dhigdhik śarīrasukhalālitamānaveṣu mā khedayeddhanakṛśaṃ hi śarīrameva / saddārakā hyadhanapāṇḍusutāḥ śrutā hi duḥkhaṃ vihāya punareva sukhaṃ prapannāḥ
శరీరసుఖాలలో మునిగిపోయి లాలితులైన మనుష్యులపై ధిక్కారం. ధనాభావంతో క్షీణించిన ఈ శరీరమునకు శోకించకూడదు. సద్గుణులైనవారు కూడా—దరిద్రులై వర్ణహీనులైనప్పటికీ, సత్పుత్రులతో యుక్తులై—దుఃఖాన్ని విడిచి మళ్లీ సుఖాన్ని పొందుతారని వినబడుతుంది.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra context)
Concept: Do not lament bodily emaciation from poverty; reject overindulgence in bodily pleasure; maintain courage—good people regain happiness after abandoning sorrow.
Vedantic Theme: Deha-asakti-tyaga and anityatva-bodha as supports for śama (equanimity) and inner freedom.
Application: Practice contentment and non-identification with the body; focus on character, duties, and supportive relationships rather than wealth-based self-worth.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Dharma sections): recurring deha-anityatva and vairagya admonitions; Garuda Purana: teachings that grief binds the jiva and steadiness aids dharma
FAQs
This verse warns against being lulled by bodily pleasures and advises not to grieve over the body’s decline, pointing to a dharmic attitude of non-attachment that supports steadiness in life and death-related teachings.
Indirectly, it shifts focus away from the perishable body toward inner endurance and virtue—an outlook that aligns with Garuda Purana’s broader insistence that the soul’s journey is not improved by clinging to physical comfort.
Practice restraint in comfort-seeking, reduce anxiety over financial ups and downs, and cultivate virtues and family responsibilities (dharma) as stable supports—so sorrow can be relinquished and well-being restored.