Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

विषं गोष्ठी दरिद्रस्य वृद्धस्य तरुणी विषम् / विषं कुशिक्षिता विद्या अजीर्णे भोजनं विषम्

Transliteration

viṣaṃ goṣṭhī daridrasya vṛddhasya taruṇī viṣam / viṣaṃ kuśikṣitā vidyā ajīrṇe bhojanaṃ viṣam

Translation

فقیر کے لیے محفل زہر ہے؛ بوڑھے کے لیے جوان عورت زہر ہے۔ ناقص طور پر سیکھی ہوئی علمیت زہر ہے؛ اور بدہضمی میں کھانا بھی زہر ہے۔

Word by Word

• विषम्: poison
• विषम्: Kriya-puraka (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विधेय-रूपे (predicate)

• गोष्ठी: company; social gathering
• गोष्ठी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोष्ठी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दरिद्रस्य: of a poor man
• दरिद्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दरिद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• वृद्धस्य: of an old man
• वृद्धस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• तरुणी: a young woman
• तरुणी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरुणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• विषम्: poison
• विषम्: Kriya-puraka (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-रूपे

• विषम्: poison
• विषम्: Kriya-puraka (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-रूपे

• कुशिक्षिता: ill-taught; poorly learned
• कुशिक्षिता: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + शिक्षित (प्रातिपदिक; √शिक्ष् + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (कु-शिक्षिता = दुश्शिक्षिता); कर्मणि-भूतकृदन्त

• विद्या: knowledge
• विद्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• अजीर्णे: in indigestion
• अजीर्णे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अजीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; नञ् + जीर्ण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• भोजनम्: food; eating
• भोजनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक; √भुज् + ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• विषम्: poison
• विषम्: Kriya-puraka (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-रूपे

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Misfit associations and wrong conditions turn ordinarily neutral things into ‘poison’: company for the destitute, youthful desire for the aged, half-baked learning, and eating during indigestion.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination): context-sensitive discernment to avoid bondage through craving, pride, and error.

Application: Avoid situations that amplify vulnerability (poverty + costly socializing; old age + lust); seek thorough learning; do not eat when digestion is impaired.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.25 (avoidances); Garuda Purana 1.114.28 (urge-suppression and sleep errors causing disease)

FAQs

What is the importance of this teaching in the Garuda Purana?

It uses the metaphor of “poison” to warn that wrong association, unchecked desire, half-knowledge, and improper eating can destroy wellbeing and dharmic stability.

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

Indirectly: by promoting restraint and right living, it reduces harmful karmic tendencies that later become obstacles in the post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose uplifting company, practice age-appropriate discipline, avoid superficial/incorrect learning, and don’t eat when digestion is disturbed—treat these as preventable “poisons.”