Shloka 4

Bhīma-Dvādaśī (Ekādaśī) Māhātmya and Varāha-Pūjā Vidhi

Devanagari script

कुपुत्त्रस्तु कुलं यद्वत्कुभार्या च पतिं यथा / अधर्मं च यथा धर्मः कुमन्त्री च यथा नृपम्

Transliteration

kuputtrastu kulaṃ yadvatkubhāryā ca patiṃ yathā / adharmaṃ ca yathā dharmaḥ kumantrī ca yathā nṛpam

Translation

కుపుత్రుడు వంశాన్ని నాశనం చేసినట్లు, కుభార్య భర్తను పతనానికి నెట్టినట్లు; అధర్మాన్ని ధర్మమని భావిస్తే వినాశనం కలిగినట్లు; అలాగే కుమంత్రి రాజును నాశనం చేస్తాడు.

Word by Word

• कुपुत्रः: a bad son
• कुपुत्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कु-पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (‘bad son’)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/समुच्चय-भेदक (but/indeed)

• कुलम्: family/lineage
• कुलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यद्वत्: just as
• यद्वत्: Upamana marker (उपमान-निर्देशक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यद्वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानार्थक (just as/in the manner that)

• कुभार्या: a bad wife
• कुभार्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कु-भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (‘bad wife’)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (and)

• पतिम्: husband
• पतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यथा: as
• यथा: Upamana marker (उपमान-निर्देशक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानार्थक

• अधर्मम्: unrighteousness
• अधर्मम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• यथा: as
• यथा: Upamana marker (उपमान-निर्देशक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानार्थक

• धर्मः: dharma/righteousness
• धर्मः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुमन्त्री: a bad minister
• कुमन्त्री: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कु-मन्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (‘bad minister/counsellor’)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• यथा: as
• यथा: Upamana marker (उपमान-निर्देशक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानार्थक

• नृपम्: king
• नृपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adharma—whether in family roles, marital partnership, or governance—destroys its support-system; discernment (viveka) is essential in choosing companions and advisers.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka against avidyā-driven misidentification (taking adharma as dharma); ethical order as prerequisite for inner peace.

Application: Cultivate discernment in relationships and leadership; avoid enabling harmful behavior; choose advisers/associates aligned with dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: admonitions on sadācāra, satsanga vs dusanga, and the ruin caused by adharma in household and kingship

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding adharma disguised as dharma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse warns that the most destructive unrighteousness is that which appears respectable as “dharma,” because it misleads judgment and normalizes wrongdoing.

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

Indirectly, it frames ethical discernment as foundational: when rulers and households adopt adharma (especially under the label of dharma), it generates harmful karma that later bears consequences described elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose trustworthy advisors, verify “religious” or “moral” claims with genuine principles, and cultivate character at home—since corrupt influence in family, counsel, or ideology can collapse an entire life-path.