Shloka 4
कुपुत्रे निर्वृतिर्नास्ति कुभार्यायां कुतो रतिः / सुमित्र नास्ति विश्वासः कुराज्ये नास्ति जीवितम्
kuputre nirvṛtirnāsti kubhāryāyāṃ kuto ratiḥ / sumitra nāsti viśvāsaḥ kurājye nāsti jīvitam
కుపుత్రునివల్ల శాంతి లేదు; కుభార్యలో ప్రేమ ఎక్కడ? కుమిత్రునిలో విశ్వాసం లేదు; దుష్ట రాజ్యంలో జీవరక్షణ లేదు।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Well-being depends on dharmic relationships (son, spouse, friend) and righteous governance; adharma in these pillars destroys peace, love, trust, and safety.
Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha and viveka: recognizing the unstable nature of worldly supports and choosing dharmic association as a means to inner steadiness.
Application: Cultivate character in family life, choose trustworthy companions, support ethical leadership, and avoid enabling unjust rule; prioritize integrity over convenience in relationships.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma-nīti sections): warnings on bad association (duḥsaṅga) and household ethics; Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa): emphasis that social/ethical failures become causes of suffering after death
FAQs
This verse stresses that peace in life depends on dharmic relationships—good children, a virtuous spouse, and trustworthy friends—without which happiness collapses.
Indirectly, it points to dharmic living as the foundation for a steady mind and righteous conduct, which the Garuda Purana treats as essential preparation for the consequences faced after death.
Cultivate character in children, choose partners and friends by values rather than impulse, and support ethical leadership—these protect peace, trust, and basic security in daily life.