Shloka 17
Characteristics of the King and His Servants
Rāja-dharma, Nīti, and Ethical Revenue
यस्यार्थास्तस्य मित्राणि यस्यार्थास्तस्य बान्धवाः / यस्यार्थाः स मुमांल्लाके यस्यार्थाः स च पण्डितः
yasyārthāstasya mitrāṇi yasyārthāstasya bāndhavāḥ / yasyārthāḥ sa mumāṃllāke yasyārthāḥ sa ca paṇḍitaḥ
جس کے پاس مال ہے، اسی کے دوست ہیں؛ جس کے پاس مال ہے، اسی کے رشتہ دار ہیں۔ دنیا کی نظر میں مالدار ہی معزز ہے اور مالدار ہی عالم سمجھا جاتا ہے۔
Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Worldly esteem is often contingent on wealth; social labels (friend, relative, learned) can be transactional, so one should cultivate discernment and non-delusion.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination) regarding anitya (impermanent) social status; warning against māyā of external markers.
Application: Choose companions by character and dharma rather than utility; avoid equating prosperity with virtue or wisdom; practice humility in success and steadiness in lack.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: social sphere/marketplace of reputation
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.111.18 (wealth as ‘relative’; abandonment of the poor)
FAQs
This verse highlights how worldly society often measures friendship, kinship, and even ‘learning’ by wealth—prompting the reader toward discernment and non-attachment in dharmic life.
By exposing the instability of worldly bonds rooted in wealth, it indirectly urges reliance on dharma and inner merit—qualities that accompany the soul beyond death, unlike social status.
Choose relationships and self-worth based on character and dharma, not financial power; use wealth responsibly without letting it define your identity or judgment of others.