Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

त्रयो बलकराः सद्यो बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम् / त्रयो बलहराः सद्यो ह्यध्वा वे मैथुनं ज्वरः

Transliteration

trayo balakarāḥ sadyo bālābhyaṅgasubhojanam / trayo balaharāḥ sadyo hyadhvā ve maithunaṃ jvaraḥ

Translation

تین چیزیں فوراً قوت بڑھاتی ہیں—بچے کا ابھینج (تیل کی مالش) اور عمدہ غذا۔ تین چیزیں فوراً قوت چھین لیتی ہیں—طویل سفر، مباشرت، اور بخار۔

Word by Word

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana (Numeral qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘बलकराः’ इत्यस्य संख्या

• बलकराः: strength-giving
• बलकराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल+कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बलं करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम्: oil-massage for a child and good food
• बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल+अभ्यङ्ग+सु+भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—(बालाभ्यङ्गः) च (सुभोजनम्) च (द्वन्द्व, इतरेतर); ‘बाल’ = बालस्य/बालानां (बालकस्य) अभ्यङ्गः

• त्रयः: three
• त्रयः: Visheshana (Numeral qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘बलहराः’ इत्यस्य संख्या

• बलहराः: strength-taking
• बलहराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल+हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बलं हरति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेतौ/निश्चयार्थे (indeed/for)

• अध्वा: journey/travel
• अध्वा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्वन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; प्रातिपदिक ‘अध्वन्’ का प्रथमा एकवचन रूप ‘अध्वा’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पबोधक अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• मैथुनम्: sexual intercourse
• मैथुनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ज्वरः: fever
• ज्वरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bala management: cultivate strength through proper nourishment and oil-massage; avoid immediate depletors like overtravel, sex, and fever.

Vedantic Theme: Care of the body as a support for svadharma; moderation (madhyamā mārga) stabilizes mind and senses.

Application: Adopt abhyanga (oil massage) especially for children; eat wholesome food; during travel/illness reduce exertion and sexual activity; prioritize rest and recovery.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: travel route

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.29-32 (context: longevity and regimen)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of strength (bala) in Garuda Purana teachings?

This verse treats bodily strength as a dharmic resource—something to be built through wholesome nourishment and proper care, and protected by avoiding immediate strength-drainers like excessive travel, overindulgence, and unmanaged illness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing care of the living body, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that disciplined living and health sustain one’s capacity for dharma, which in turn shapes post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize nourishing diet and restorative routines; limit exhausting travel when possible; practice moderation in sexual activity; treat fever promptly and rest to prevent rapid depletion of vitality.