Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

न मातरि न दारेषु न सोदर्ये न चात्मजे / विश्वासस्तादृशः पुंसां यादृङ्मित्रे स्वभावजे

Transliteration

na mātari na dāreṣu na sodarye na cātmaje / viśvāsastādṛśaḥ puṃsāṃ yādṛṅmitre svabhāvaje

Translation

Người đàn ông không đặt niềm tin như thế nơi mẹ, nơi vợ, nơi chị/em gái, thậm chí nơi con trai—mà đặt niềm tin sâu dày ấy nơi người bạn hợp tính, thuận theo bản tánh.

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negative particle)

• मातरि: in/with the mother
• मातरि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• दारेषु: in/with (one's) wife/wives
• दारेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• सोदऱ्ये: in/with a (uterine) brother
• सोदऱ्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sodarya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• आत्मजे: in/with one's son
• आत्मजे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• विश्वासः: trust
• विश्वासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• तादृशः: such (of that kind)
• तादृशः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tādṛśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘viśvāsaḥ’)

• पुंसाम्: of men
• पुंसाम्: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṃs (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• यादृक्-मित्रे: in/with a friend of such-and-such nature
• यादृक्-मित्रे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yādṛk (प्रातिपदिक) + mitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (yādṛk = ‘of what kind’ qualifying mitra)

• स्वभावजे: born of (one's) nature; natural
• स्वभावजे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svabhāva (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (svabhāvāt jātaḥ = born of nature) विशेषण (qualifying ‘mitre’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: विश्वास (trust) is most stable where स्वभाव-सम्यता (congenial nature) exists; kinship alone does not guarantee reliability.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka regarding saṃsāric relations; recognizing the contingent nature of worldly supports.

Application: Choose confidants by character and shared values; avoid naïve dependence on roles (mother/wife/son) alone; cultivate trustworthy friendships through integrity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.5-8 (continuation on faults, restraint, consequences, and the inscrutability of the faithless)

FAQs

What is the importance of friendship and trust in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that trust is most securely placed in a friend whose disposition is naturally compatible and well-intentioned, implying discernment in companionship as a dharmic safeguard.

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

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana ethic that one should cultivate reliable support through dharmic relationships, since worldly ties can be uncertain when facing suffering, transitions, or moral testing.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose confidants by tested character and consistent conduct rather than mere relation; cultivate friendships grounded in integrity, discretion, and shared values.