Shloka 11

Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā

Devanagari script

अधमाः कलिमिच्छन्ति सन्धिमिच्छति मध्यमाः / उत्तमा मानमिच्छन्ति मानो हि महतां धनम्

Transliteration

adhamāḥ kalimicchanti sandhimicchati madhyamāḥ / uttamā mānamicchanti māno hi mahatāṃ dhanam

Translation

کمینے لوگ جھگڑا چاہتے ہیں، اوسط درجے والے صلح چاہتے ہیں۔ عالی لوگ عزت و وقار چاہتے ہیں؛ کیونکہ عزت ہی بڑوں کا حقیقی سرمایہ ہے۔

Word by Word

• अधमाः: the lowest (people)
• अधमाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• कलिम्: quarrel/strife
• कलिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• इच्छन्ति: desire
• इच्छन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• सन्धिम्: alliance/peace/compromise
• सन्धिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• इच्छति: desires
• इच्छति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मध्यमाः: the middling (people)
• मध्यमाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता (अर्थतः)

• उत्तमाः: the best (people)
• उत्तमाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्ता

• मानम्: honour/respect
• मानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म

• इच्छन्ति: desire
• इच्छन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• मानः: honour
• मानः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्ता

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/हेतुबोधक-अव्यय (emphatic/causal particle)

• महताम्: of the great
• महताम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध

• धनम्: wealth/treasure
• धनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Character types are revealed by what they seek: conflict, peace, or honor; true greatness values dignity over petty victory.

Vedantic Theme: Cultivation of sattva (peace, dignity) over rajas/tamas (quarrel, agitation).

Application: De-escalate disputes; prioritize reconciliation and integrity; protect reputation through ethical conduct rather than dominance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana nīti verses on māna (honor), kṣamā (forbearance), and saṃdhi (conciliation)

FAQs

What is the importance of honor (māna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse elevates honor as a true form of wealth for the noble, implying that integrity and reputation grounded in dharma are more valuable than winning disputes.

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

Indirectly, it links character to dharma: a life inclined toward peace and honor supports righteous living, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly associates with auspicious outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid escalating conflicts, aim for reconciliation when possible, and prioritize dignity and ethical reputation over short-term victories.