Shloka 21
Nīti for Calamity, Wealth, Friendship, Charity, and Restraint of Kāma
धनस्य यस्य राजतो भयं न चास्ति चौरतः / मृतं च यन्न मुच्यते समर्जयस्व तद्धनम्
dhanasya yasya rājato bhayaṃ na cāsti caurataḥ / mṛtaṃ ca yanna mucyate samarjayasva taddhanam
จงแสวงหาทรัพย์ที่ไม่ก่อความหวาดกลัวต่อพระราชา (รัฐ) และไม่หวาดกลัวต่อโจร และแม้ยามตายก็ไม่ทอดทิ้งไป—ทรัพย์เช่นนั้นพึงสั่งสม
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda / Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Moksha
Concept: Seek ‘wealth’ that is not threatened by state or thieves and is not abandoned at death—i.e., merit (puṇya), charity, dharma, and especially devotion that accrues beyond mortality.
Vedantic Theme: Nitya-anitya-vastu-viveka (discrimination between lasting and perishing); karma as subtle carryover; orientation toward the imperishable good.
Application: Convert resources into lasting merit: charity, service, supporting learning, dharmic living, and remembrance of Hari; reduce anxiety tied to insecure possessions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109.22 (heirs divide wealth; sin follows); Garuda Purana 1.109.23 (hoarding causes sorrow)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that the best ‘wealth’ is that which cannot be confiscated by authorities, stolen by thieves, or lost at death—pointing to merit (puṇya), dharma, and spiritual capital rather than mere possessions.
It implies that material assets do not accompany the departed; only one’s accumulated dharma and karmic merit support the soul’s journey beyond death, aligning with the Preta-kāṇḍa’s focus on post-death consequences.
Prioritize ethical earning, generosity, and dharmic living—convert temporary wealth into lasting merit through charity, service, and righteous conduct.