Shloka 72

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

Devanagari script

नोपेक्षितव्यो दुर्बद्धि शत्रुरल्पो ऽप्यवज्ञया / वह्निरल्पो ऽप्यसंहार्यः कुरुते भस्मसाज्जगत्

Transliteration

nopekṣitavyo durbaddhi śatruralpo 'pyavajñayā / vahniralpo 'pyasaṃhāryaḥ kurute bhasmasājjagat

Translation

ศัตรูผู้มีปัญญาชั่ว แม้จะเล็กน้อย ก็ไม่ควรถูกละเลยด้วยความดูหมิ่น; ไฟแม้เพียงน้อย หากไม่ดับ ก็อาจเผาโลกให้เป็นเถ้าถ่านได้

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• उपेक्षितव्यः: to be neglected
• उपेक्षितव्यः: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप + ईक्ष् (धातु) → उपेक्षितव्य (कृदन्त, तव्यत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive: ‘to be neglected’)

• दुर्बुद्धिः: a wicked-minded person
• दुर्बुद्धिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक; दुर् + बुद्धि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शत्रुः: an enemy
• शत्रुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अल्पः: small
• अल्पः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अप्यर्थक/सम्भावनार्थक (particle: ‘even/also’)

• अवज्ञया: by contempt
• अवज्ञया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; हेतौ (by contempt/through disregard)

• वह्निः: fire
• वह्निः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अल्पः: small
• अल्पः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• असंहार्यः: not to be put out
• असंहार्यः: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + सं + हृ (धातु) → असंहार्य (कृदन्त, ण्यत्/यत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘असंहार्य’ = न संहर्तुं शक्यः (not to be extinguished/removed)

• कुरुते: makes
• कुरुते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• भस्मसात्: into ashes
• भस्मसात्: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भस्मसात् (अव्यय/निपात; भस्म + सात्)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘to ashes/into ashes’)

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Do not underestimate minor dangers; contempt (avajñā) breeds negligence; timely restraint prevents disproportionate harm.

Vedantic Theme: Avidyā as 'small' negligence that grows; vigilance (apramāda) as a protective virtue supporting dharma and inner steadiness.

Application: Address conflicts early; do not dismiss small unethical behaviors, addictions, or security risks; practice preventive discipline—extinguish problems while they are small.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana admonitions on vigilance and avoiding anartha (harm) through negligence

FAQs

What is the importance of vigilance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that neglecting even a minor threat out of contempt can lead to major destruction, so dharmic living includes alertness and timely corrective action.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana ethic that small lapses in conduct can accumulate into serious karmic consequences, affecting one’s post-death condition and experiences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not dismiss small risks—whether harmful habits, conflicts, or ethical compromises; address them early, as unchecked issues can escalate like a small fire becoming a conflagration.