Shloka 56

Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma

Devanagari script

एकेनापि सुपुत्रेण विद्यायुक्तेन धीमता / कुलं पुरुषसिंहेन चन्द्रेण गगनं यथा

Transliteration

ekenāpi suputreṇa vidyāyuktena dhīmatā / kulaṃ puruṣasiṃhena candreṇa gaganaṃ yathā

Translation

แม้มีบุตรดีเพียงคนเดียว ผู้ประกอบด้วยวิชาและปัญญา ก็ยกชูและทำให้ทั้งตระกูลสว่างไสวได้ ดุจจันทร์ผู้ดุจราชสีห์ในหมู่มนุษย์ ส่องสว่างทั่วนภา

Word by Word

• एकेन: by/with one
• एकेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अप्यर्थक-निपात (particle: even/also)

• सुपुत्रेण: by a good son
• सुपुत्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (सु-पुत्रः = good son)

• विद्यायुक्तेन: endowed with knowledge
• विद्यायुक्तेन: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्या + युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (विद्यया युक्तः)

• धीमता: intelligent
• धीमता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण

• कुलम्: family/lineage
• कुलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पुरुषसिंहेन: by a lion among men
• पुरुषसिंहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (पुरुषः सिंह इव)

• चन्द्रेण: by the moon
• चन्द्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• गगनम्: sky
• गगनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गगन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (indeclinable of comparison: as/like)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: One learned, wise, virtuous son can elevate an entire lineage; quality surpasses quantity.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-guṇa and viveka (discernment) as luminous forces; one realized/wise person benefits many (satsaṅga principle).

Application: Cultivate depth of character and learning in at least one successor/student; mentor sincerely; value excellence and wisdom over numbers.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.57–58 reinforce the ‘one excellent entity transforms the whole’ motif (tree/forest; moon/darkness).

FAQs

What is the importance of a virtuous, learned child in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that one truly wise and well-educated child can bring honor, stability, and positive influence to the entire family lineage.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe after-death travel here; instead, it emphasizes dharmic living in this life—especially the power of knowledge and virtue to elevate one’s kula.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize education with character-building: cultivate wisdom, self-discipline, and ethical conduct—because one exemplary person can transform a whole household.