Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

दीपस्य पश्चिमा छाया छाया शय्यासनस्य च / रजकस्य तु यत्तीर्थलक्ष्मीस्तत्र तिष्ठति

Transliteration

dīpasya paścimā chāyā chāyā śayyāsanasya ca / rajakasya tu yattīrthalakṣmīstatra tiṣṭhati

Translation

Bóng phía tây của ngọn đèn, bóng của giường hay chỗ ngồi, và bất cứ vật gì thuộc về người giặt—tại đó, phúc lộc cát tường của thánh địa (tīrtha-lakṣmī) được nói là ngự trú.

Word by Word

• दीपस्य: of a lamp
• दीपस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• पश्चिमा: western, behind
• पश्चिमा: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• छाया: shadow
• छाया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• छाया: shadow
• छाया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (repetition for emphasis)

• शय्या-आसनस्य: of the bed and seat
• शय्या-आसनस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शय्या (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (itaretara-dvandva) ‘bed and seat’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• रजकस्य: of a washerman
• रजकस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• तु: but, indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• तीर्थ-लक्ष्मीः: the fortune/glory of a sacred place
• तीर्थ-लक्ष्मीः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (tīrthasya lakṣmīḥ)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (adverb of place)

• तिष्ठति: stands, remains
• तिष्ठति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śubha-aśubha nimitta (auspicious/inauspicious indicators) and the ‘adhivāsa’ (abiding) of Lakṣmī linked to purity and proper associations.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi as a support for dharmic life; external signs mirror inner order (bahir-ācāra supporting antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: Maintain cleanliness and mindful placement/association of household items; avoid inauspicious associations (e.g., objects linked with impurity/lowly trades in this text’s social frame) when seeking prosperity and sacred merit.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household/interior space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.40-43 (nimitta rules on dust, longevity, auspicious/inauspicious contacts)

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrtha-lakṣmī in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, tīrtha-lakṣmī represents auspicious merit and sacred prosperity that is believed to ‘abide’ in specific conditions/locations, linking everyday conduct with the preservation of spiritual and auspicious benefit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes ācāra (right conduct) and purity-minded living, which the Garuḍa Purāṇa treats as supportive of dharma and merit—factors that influence one’s post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat daily spaces (lamp/lighting area, bed/seat) with cleanliness and mindful arrangement, and avoid appropriating or mishandling others’ belongings—cultivating respect, purity, and disciplined conduct.