Nītisāra: Virtuous Association, Household Dharma, and Kāla (Time) as the Supreme Regulator
व्यालीकण्ठप्रदेशाह्यपि च फणभृद्भाषणा या च रौद्री या कृष्णा व्याकुलागी रुधिरनयनसंव्याकुला व्याघ्रकल्पा / क्रोधे यैवोग्रवक्त्रा स्फुरदनलशिखा काकजिह्वा कराला सेव्या न स्त्री विदग्धा परपुरगमना भ्रान्तचित्ता विराक्त
vyālīkaṇṭhapradeśāhyapi ca phaṇabhṛdbhāṣaṇā yā ca raudrī yā kṛṣṇā vyākulāgī rudhiranayanasaṃvyākulā vyāghrakalpā / krodhe yaivogravaktrā sphuradanalaśikhā kākajihvā karālā sevyā na strī vidagdhā parapuragamanā bhrāntacittā virākta
Người đàn bà có cổ và vùng cổ như rắn, lời nói như rắn mang bành; dữ dằn và đen tối, luôn bồn chồn, mắt đỏ như máu, tính khí như hổ; khi giận mặt gớm ghiếc như lửa bốc, lưỡi như quạ, dáng vẻ đáng sợ—một người tuy khôn khéo nhưng bại hoại, lui tới nhà đàn ông khác, tâm trí mê loạn và không có chân tình—chớ nên tìm cầu hay giữ làm bạn đời.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)
Concept: Avoid association with a person whose character is dominated by krodha, restlessness, deceit, and infidelity; external ‘cleverness’ (vidagdhatā) without virtue is dangerous.
Vedantic Theme: Tamas/rajas-driven mind (vyākulatā, bhrānti) obscures sattva; uncontrolled krodha is a binding force that destroys peace and dharma.
Application: Do not romanticize charisma or ‘sharpness’ when paired with cruelty and betrayal; prioritize emotional regulation, fidelity, and trustworthiness in close relationships.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: household
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.108.25 (domestic threats equated with death); Garuda Purana 1.108.26 (avoid wicked company); Garuda Purana 1.108.23-24 (spousal vice/virtue contrast)
This verse functions as a dharma-guideline for householders, warning against companionship that is marked by cruelty, uncontrolled anger, deceit, and sexual misconduct—traits seen as destructive to family order and spiritual progress.
While the Garuda Purana is famous for afterlife descriptions, it also stresses ethical living as the root of one’s post-death fate; controlling passions and avoiding adharmic relationships is presented as foundational conduct.
Treat it as a caution against toxic, unfaithful, and abusive behavior in relationships—prioritize trust, self-control, and emotional steadiness, and avoid alliances that normalize deceit or harm.