Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

बालातपश्चाप्यतिमैथुनञ्च श्मशानधूमः करतापनञ्च / रजस्वलावत्क्रनिरीक्षणञ्च सुदीर्घमायुर्ननु कर्षयेच्च

Transliteration

bālātapaścāpyatimaithunañca śmaśānadhūmaḥ karatāpanañca / rajasvalāvatkranirīkṣaṇañca sudīrghamāyurnanu karṣayecca

Translation

Phơi mình dưới nắng gắt từ thuở ấu thơ, buông thả dâm dục quá độ, hít khói nơi hỏa táng, làm tay quá nóng (như bị đốt), và nhìn vào chỗ kín của người nữ đang hành kinh—những điều ấy quả thật làm suy giảm cả thọ mạng rất dài.

Word by Word

• बालातपः: mild/early sun-heat
• बालातपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बालातप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—बालः+आतपः (कर्मधारय)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थ

• अतिमैथुनम्: excessive sexual intercourse
• अतिमैथुनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति+मैथुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—अति+मैथुनम् (तत्पुरुष)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• श्मशानधूमः: cremation-ground smoke
• श्मशानधूमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्मशान+धूम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—श्मशानस्य धूमः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• करतापनम्: heating/burning of the hands
• करतापनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर+तापन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—करैः/करस्य तापनम् (तत्पुरुष)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• रजस्वलावत्: like a menstruating woman
• रजस्वलावत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रजस्वला+वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण; अव्ययभावे (indeclinable-like), ‘रजस्वलायाः इव’ अर्थे

• क्रनिरीक्षणम्: looking/observing (improperly)
• क्रनिरीक्षणम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्र+नि+ईक्ष् (धातु) → निरीक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘निरीक्षण’ (seeing/looking)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• सुदीर्घम्: very long
• सुदीर्घम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु+दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘आयुः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• आयुः: lifespan
• आयुः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (आयुः=आयुस्)

• ननु: indeed/surely
• ननु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ननु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), खलु/नूनम्-अर्थे (emphatic)

• कर्षयेत्: would diminish
• कर्षयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Āyuḥ-rakṣaṇa through self-restraint and avoidance of harmful contacts (sparśa/darśana/āhāra-vihāra).

Vedantic Theme: Deha as perishable instrument; prudent discipline supports dharma and sādhanā by preserving the body.

Application: Moderate sexual conduct; avoid harsh sun exposure and smoke; avoid overheating/overexertion; cultivate modesty and sensory restraint (indriya-nigraha).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: cremation ground

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.30-33 (continuation of prāṇahara/balakarā-balaharā lists)

FAQs

What is the importance of longevity-related conduct in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links āyus (lifespan) with disciplined living—moderation, purity of conduct, and avoiding harmful exposures—presenting longevity as supported by ethical and bodily restraint.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by advising restraint and purity, it implies that disciplined conduct preserves vitality and supports dharma, which in turn shapes one’s karmic trajectory and post-death outcomes described elsewhere in the Purāṇa.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice moderation in sexual activity, avoid unhealthy smoke/toxic exposure, prevent heat-related overexertion, and uphold respectful boundaries—habits framed here as supporting health, self-control, and longevity.