Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

शोकत्राणं भयत्राणं प्रीतिविश्वासभाजनम् / केन रत्नांमदं सृष्टं मित्रमित्यक्षरद्वयम्

Transliteration

śokatrāṇaṃ bhayatrāṇaṃ prītiviśvāsabhājanam / kena ratnāṃmadaṃ sṛṣṭaṃ mitramityakṣaradvayam

Translation

朋友是脱离忧伤的庇护，是脱离恐惧的庇护，也是承载爱与信赖的器皿。是谁创造了这颗珍宝——这两音节之词“mitra”（朋友）？

Word by Word

• शोकत्राणम्: protection from grief
• शोकत्राणम्: Pradhāna/Predicate nominal (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोक (प्रातिपदिक) + त्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शोकस्य त्राणम्)

• भयत्राणम्: protection from fear
• भयत्राणम्: Pradhāna/Predicate nominal (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + त्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भयस्य त्राणम्)

• प्रीतिविश्वासभाजनम्: a vessel of affection and trust
• प्रीतिविश्वासभाजनम्: Pradhāna/Predicate nominal (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक) + विश्वास (प्रातिपदिक) + भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-तत्पुरुष (प्रीतिः च विश्वासः च तयोः भाजनम् = receptacle/abode)

• केन: by whom
• केन: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; प्रश्न (by whom/with what)

• रत्नामदम्: jewel-like delight
• रत्नामदम्: Karma/Pradhāna (Object or predicate complement/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + आमद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; कर्मधारय = ‘रत्नवत् आमदम्’ (very delightful like a jewel)

• सृष्टम्: created
• सृष्टम्: Pradhāna/Predicate adjective (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √सृज् (धातु) + सृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘created’

• मित्रम्: friend
• मित्रम्: Karma/Pradhāna (Object or topic/कर्म/प्रस्ताव्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विषय (friend)

• इति: thus/“”
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/इत्यर्थ (quotative particle)

• अक्षरद्वयम्: two syllables
• अक्षरद्वयम्: Apposition (Viśeṣaṇa/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (द्वे अक्षरे यस्य)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True friendship functions as refuge (trāṇa) from grief and fear and as a vessel of love and trust.

Vedantic Theme: Satsaṅga as a support for steadiness; relational dharma that stabilizes the mind and supports virtue.

Application: Cultivate trustworthy friendships; be a refuge to others; build relationships on prīti and viśvāsa; choose companions who reduce भय and शोक.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana nīti passages praising good association and warning against harmful company

FAQs

What is the importance of friendship (mitra) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse elevates ‘mitra’ as a protective force—shielding one from grief and fear—grounded in affection and trust, making friendship a dharmic support in life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it teaches that trust and supportive relationships reduce fear and sorrow—mental states that bind and disturb the mind—supporting steadiness needed for righteous living and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate trustworthy friendships and become a ‘refuge’ to others through reliability, compassion, and truthful counsel—reducing fear and grief in your community.