Shloka 46

Nīti for Calamity, Wealth, Friendship, Charity, and Restraint of Kāma

Devanagari script

शनैर्विद्या शनैर्थाः शनैः पर्वतमारुहेत् / शनैः कामं च धर्मं च पञ्चैतानि शनैः शनैः

Transliteration

śanairvidyā śanairthāḥ śanaiḥ parvatamāruhet / śanaiḥ kāmaṃ ca dharmaṃ ca pañcaitāni śanaiḥ śanaiḥ

Translation

学问须渐次而得，财富须渐次而聚，登山亦须渐次而上；同样，欲与法（dharma）亦当渐次成就——此五者皆应循序而行，步步推进。

Word by Word

• शनैः: gradually
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; काल/क्रमवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: gradually)

• विद्या: knowledge
• विद्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (Feminine, Nominative, Singular)

• शनैः: gradually
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• अर्थाः: wealth, resources
• अर्थाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; (Masculine, Nominative, Plural)

• शनैः: gradually
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• पर्वतम्: a mountain
• पर्वतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• आरुहेत्: should climb
• आरुहेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √रुह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; (Optative, 3rd person, Singular)

• शनैः: gradually
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• कामम्: desire
• कामम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

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

• धर्मम्: dharma, righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

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

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्याशब्द; प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; (numeral adjective)

• एतानि: these
• एतानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन; (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Plural)

• शनैः: gradually
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• शनैः: step by step
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति (reduplication for emphasis)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: All meaningful attainments—learning, wealth, difficult goals, desire, and dharma—ripen through gradual, consistent effort.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-krama (graded practice) and niyama; mastery over kāma through regulated pursuit aligned with dharma.

Application: Adopt incremental habits: daily study, savings, skill-building; regulate desires; practice dharma consistently rather than in bursts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: natural landmark (metaphoric ascent)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: didactic nīti passages emphasizing discipline and right conduct (general)

FAQs

What is the importance of gradual progress (śanaiḥ śanaiḥ) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that enduring gains—learning, prosperity, and righteous living—are stabilized through steady, incremental effort rather than haste.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana’s broader teaching?

While not describing afterlife mechanics directly, it supports the Purana’s wider message that spiritual maturity and dharma are built through consistent practice over time.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt sustainable routines: study daily, earn ethically, regulate desires, and keep dharma as a long-term discipline—progressing in small, reliable steps.