Shloka 3

Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya

Overcoming Grief

Devanagari script

पण्डितैश्च विर्नातैश्च धर्मशैः सत्यवादिभिः / बन्ध्स्थो ऽपि तिष्ठेच्च न तु राज्ये खलैः सह

Transliteration

paṇḍitaiśca virnātaiśca dharmaśaiḥ satyavādibhiḥ / bandhstho 'pi tiṣṭhecca na tu rājye khalaiḥ saha

Translation

عالم، باادب، دین شناس اور سچ بولنے والوں کے ساتھ تو قید میں بھی رہنا بہتر ہے؛ مگر بدکاروں کی صحبت میں سلطنت میں رہنا مناسب نہیں۔

Word by Word

पण्डितैःwith scholars

चand

विर्नातैःwith the well-known/learned (reading uncertain)

चand

धर्मशैःwith those skilled in dharma (reading uncertain)

सत्यवादिभिःwith truth-speakers

बन्ध्स्थःbeing in bondage/imprisoned

अपिeven

तिष्ठेत्should stay/remain

चand

नnot

तुbut

राज्येin a kingdom/rule

खलैःwith wicked people

सहtogether with

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Better adversity with the righteous than comfort with the wicked; moral environment outweighs material status.

Vedantic Theme: Preference for sattvic association over rajasic power; inner freedom valued over outer sovereignty.

Application: Choose ethical workplaces and mentors even at personal cost; prioritize truth-speaking communities over prestige.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: confinement/ashrama vs kingdom/court (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana niti passages valuing pandita-sanga and condemning durjana-sanga (general thematic parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of good company (satsanga) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prioritizes association with learned, truthful, dharmic people over comfort or political power, teaching that character and influence shape one’s conduct and destiny.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana terms?

By emphasizing truth and dharma as the preferred environment, it implies that one’s moral choices and associations cultivate merits (puṇya) that support a favorable post-death course, unlike the corrupting influence of wicked company.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose mentors, friends, and communities that value truth and ethical conduct—even if it limits status or convenience; avoid environments where wrongdoing is normalized.