Shloka 60

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

Devanagari script

सर्वे क्षयान्ता निलयाः पतनान्ताः समुच्छ्रयाः / संयोगा विप्रयोगान्ता मरणान्तं हि जीवितम्

Transliteration

sarve kṣayāntā nilayāḥ patanāntāḥ samucchrayāḥ / saṃyogā viprayogāntā maraṇāntaṃ hi jīvitam

Translation

تمام ٹھکانے آخرکار زوال پر ختم ہوتے ہیں؛ ہر بلندی انجامِ کار گراوٹ میں بدلتی ہے۔ ہر ملاپ جدائی پر ختم ہوتا ہے—اور زندگی بھی یقیناً موت پر تمام ہوتی ہے۔

Word by Word

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (Adjectival to निलयाः/समुच्छ्रयाः/संयोगाः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• क्षयान्ताः: ending in destruction
• क्षयान्ताः: Visheshana (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षय (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्षयस्य अन्तः)

• निलयाः: abodes
• निलयाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• पतनान्ताः: ending in falling
• पतनान्ताः: Visheshana (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पतन (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पतनस्य अन्तः)

• समुच्छ्रयाः: lofty structures/accumulations
• समुच्छ्रयाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम् (उपसर्ग) + उत् (उपसर्ग) + श्रि (धातु) → समुच्छ्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• संयोगाः: unions/associations
• संयोगाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम् (उपसर्ग) + युज् (धातु) → संयोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• विप्रयोगान्ताः: ending in separation
• विप्रयोगान्ताः: Visheshana (Adjectival to संयोगाः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि (उपसर्ग) + प्र (उपसर्ग) + युज् (धातु) → विप्रयोग (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (विप्रयोगस्य अन्तः)

• मरणान्तम्: ending in death
• मरणान्तम्: Visheshana (Adjectival to जीवितम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मरण (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मरणस्य अन्तः)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधान/हेतु-अर्थे

• जीवितम्: life
• जीवितम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीवित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: All compounded things end: homes decay, heights fall, unions separate, life ends in death—therefore cultivate dispassion and seek the imperishable.

Vedantic Theme: Anityatva of samsara; viveka leading toward mumukshutva (desire for liberation).

Application: Practice remembrance of impermanence; reduce clinging; prioritize dharma and spiritual practice over accumulation; prepare for death with disciplined living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated anitya-upadesha as preparation for preta/antyeshti and for turning to Vishnu-bhakti

FAQs

What is the importance of impermanence in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames impermanence as universal—homes, status, relationships, and even life end—encouraging detachment and spiritual priorities over temporary gains.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stressing that life culminates in death and separation, it prepares the listener to focus on dharma and inner readiness rather than clinging to worldly bonds at the time of transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat possessions, status, and relationships with gratitude but without clinging; invest in ethical living, remembrance of the divine, and duties that support a peaceful end-of-life mindset.