Shloka 37

Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā

Devanagari script

स्वाधीनवृत्तेः साफल्यं न पराधीनवर्तिता / ये पराधीनकर्माणो जीवन्तो ऽपि च ते मृताः

Transliteration

svādhīnavṛtteḥ sāphalyaṃ na parādhīnavartitā / ye parādhīnakarmāṇo jīvanto 'pi ca te mṛtāḥ

Translation

圆满在于以自身正当的主宰而活，不在于受制于人。凡行事依赖他人者，虽生犹死。

Word by Word

• स्वाधीनवृत्तेः: of self-dependent conduct/livelihood
• स्वाधीनवृत्तेः: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svādhīna (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; स्वाधीना या वृत्तिः तस्याः (of self-dependent livelihood/conduct)

• साफल्यम्: success; fulfillment
• साफल्यम्: Karta/Pratijna (Subject/predicate-noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāphalya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (nominative singular)

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• पराधीनवर्तिता: dependence on others
• पराधीनवर्तिता: Pratishedha (Negated predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parādhīna (प्रातिपदिक) + vartitā (प्रातिपदिक; भाववाचक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; पराधीनत्वेन वर्तितापनम् (state of being dependent on others)

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम

• पराधीनकर्माणः: having dependent actions
• पराधीनकर्माणः: Visheshana (Qualifier of ये)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parādhīna (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पराधीनं कर्म येषाम् (whose actions are dependent on others)

• जीवन्तः: living
• जीवन्तः: Karta (Agent as participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जीव् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• अपि: even (though)
• अपि: Sambandha (Concessive particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अपि-कार (concessive: even though)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; संकेत सर्वनाम

• मृताः: dead
• मृताः: Pradhana-predicative (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛta (कृदन्त; मृ धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used adjectivally)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True fulfilment arises from svādhīna-vṛtti (rightful self-directed living); parādhīnatā (servile dependence) erodes dignity and vitality.

Vedantic Theme: Kartṛtva-bhāva disciplined by dharma; inner freedom as prerequisite for higher pursuit; avoidance of dāsya to adharma (not devotional dāsya).

Application: Build autonomy through skills, ethical livelihood, and clear boundaries; avoid compromising values for control by others.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.115.34 (lion-like resolve); Garuda Purana 1.115.36 (non-life despite breathing)

FAQs

What is the importance of self-reliance (svādhīna-vṛtti) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents self-directed, dharmic living as the basis of true success, warning that dependence that removes one’s moral agency undermines a meaningful life.

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

By emphasizing personal agency in action (karma), it implies that one’s post-death trajectory is shaped by one’s own accountable deeds, not by merely following others without discernment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose work and decisions that preserve integrity and responsibility—avoid unethical compliance or helpless dependence, and act with discernment aligned to dharma.