Shloka 61

Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā

Devanagari script

यदीच्छेत्पुनरागन्तुं नातिदूरमनुव्रजेत् / उदकान्तान्निवर्तेत स्निग्धवर्णाच्च पादपात्

Transliteration

yadīcchetpunarāgantuṃ nātidūramanuvrajet / udakāntānnivarteta snigdhavarṇācca pādapāt

Translation

หากผู้ใดปรารถนาจะกลับมาอีก อย่าติดตามไปไกลนัก. พึงหันกลับ ณ ริมน้ำ และพึงหันกลับจากต้นไม้ที่แลดูมีสีมันวาวด้วย.

Word by Word

यदिif

इच्छेत्should wish

पुनःagain

आगन्तुम्to return/come back

नnot

अतिदूरम्too far

अनुव्रजेत्should follow/go along

उदकान्तात्from the water’s edge

निवर्तेतshould turn back

स्निग्धवर्णात्from (a place/tree) of glossy color

चand

पादपात्from a tree

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Know limits and heed omens/boundaries; avoid over-commitment that prevents safe return.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka in action—discriminating safe from unsafe; also a metaphor for not crossing into irreversible entanglements.

Application: In travel or risky undertakings, set turnaround points; avoid alluring but unsafe paths; treat ‘glossy tree’ as a sign of hidden hazard (slippery terrain, poisonous sap, deceptive appearance).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: liminal boundary (riverbank/shore; forest edge)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: pragmatic dharma counsel interspersed with metaphysical teaching; warnings about signs/omens and prudent conduct

FAQs

What is the importance of turning back at the water’s edge in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the water’s edge as a natural boundary where one should stop and return if the intention is to come back safely, emphasizing restraint and attention to auspicious limits.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it teaches discernment about boundaries and signs—an ethical habit that parallels Garuda Purana’s broader theme that right conduct and timely restraint shape one’s future course and outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid overextending yourself when conditions signal caution; set clear limits, heed environmental warnings, and practice disciplined decision-making rather than pushing forward impulsively.