Shloka 20

Nītisāra: Virtuous Association, Household Dharma, and Kāla (Time) as the Supreme Regulator

Devanagari script

सततं धर्मबहुला सततं च पतिप्रिया / सततं प्रियवक्री च सततं त्वृतुकामिनी

Transliteration

satataṃ dharmabahulā satataṃ ca patipriyā / satataṃ priyavakrī ca satataṃ tvṛtukāminī

Translation

وہ ہمیشہ دھرم سے بھرپور، ہمیشہ شوہر کی محبوب؛ ہمیشہ شیریں گفتار، اور اپنے مناسب موسمِ رِتو میں خواہشِ وصل سے یکتہ رہتی ہے۔

Word by Word

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• धर्मबहुला: abounding in righteousness
• धर्मबहुला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म + बहुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (धर्मे बहुला/धर्मबहुला = full of dharma)

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पतिप्रिया: dear to her husband
• पतिप्रिया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (पतेः प्रिया)

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• प्रियवक्री: pleasant-faced / with pleasing expression
• प्रियवक्री: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय + वक्रिन्/वक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—कर्मधारय (प्रियं वक्रं/प्रियवक्रा—pleasant-faced/pleasant in expression; पाठभेद-संभावना)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सततं: constantly
• सततं: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सतत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधसूचक (particle: but/indeed)

• ऋतुकामिनी: desirous at the proper season
• ऋतुकामिनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऋतु + कामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (ऋतौ कामिनी = desirous in season; i.e., sexually receptive at proper time)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Integration of dharma and kāma: affection and intimacy are praised when aligned with propriety (ṛtu) and fidelity.

Vedantic Theme: Regulated desire (niyama) transforms kāma into a supportive force for harmony rather than bondage; sattvic ordering of life.

Application: Balance affection with responsibility; honor consent, health, and appropriate timing; keep speech kind and intentions dharmic.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108.18-19, 1.108.21-22 (virtues/faults sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma-centered conduct in Garuda Purana?

This verse frames dharma as a daily, continuous disposition—expressed through devotion, truthful-pleasant speech, and disciplined conduct—showing that righteousness is lived through consistent behavior in household life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing dharmic household conduct, it points to the karmic foundation that supports a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana—ethical living shapes afterlife outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady ethical behavior, communicate kindly, honor marital commitments, and practice self-restraint—treating dharma as consistency in everyday relationships rather than occasional ritual alone.