Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā
भरणं पोष्य वर्गस्य तस्माद्यत्नेन कारयेत् / स जीवति वरश्चैको बहुभिर्योपजीव्यति
bharaṇaṃ poṣya vargasya tasmādyatnena kārayet / sa jīvati varaścaiko bahubhiryopajīvyati
కాబట్టి పోష్యవర్గాన్ని యత్నంతో పోషించాలి; ఎందుకంటే అనేకులు జీవించగలిగేలా చేసే ఆ ఒక్క శ్రేష్ఠుడు నిజంగా జీవించుచున్నవాడే.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: One should strive to maintain dependents; the truly living/excellent person is the one by whom many live.
Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha (holding the world together) as a mark of sattva; selfhood refined through selfless responsibility.
Application: Assume accountable care for family, employees, students, and vulnerable persons; build sustainable support systems rather than sporadic charity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.79-80 (who are to be maintained; atithi as agni; svarga-sādhana)
This verse treats sustaining dependents as a central duty (dharma), praising the person whose effort enables many to live as truly noble and spiritually meritorious.
By emphasizing responsibility and nourishment of others, it points to merit-producing actions that strengthen one’s dharmic record—an important theme in Garuda Purana discussions of consequences after death.
Fulfill obligations to family and dependents, ensure fair support for those relying on you, and treat livelihood as service—measuring success by how many are helped to live with dignity.