Shloka 22

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

यत्राविरोधो दम्पत्योस्त्रिवर्गस्तत्त्र वर्धते / मृते जीवति या पत्यौ या नान्यमुपगच्छति

Transliteration

yatrāvirodho dampatyostrivargastattra vardhate / mṛte jīvati yā patyau yā nānyamupagacchati

Translation

夫妻和睦之处，人生的三大目标——法（Dharma）、利（Artha）和欲（Kama）——便会兴盛。无论丈夫在世或已故，不跟随其他男子的女子被称为贞洁之妇。

Word by Word

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक-अव्यय (relative adverb: 'where')

• अविरोधः: non-opposition, harmony
• अविरोधः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दम्पत्योः: of the couple (husband and wife)
• दम्पत्योः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दम्पती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (दम्पती-द्वन्द्व-प्रातिपदिक), षष्ठी (6th)/सप्तमी (7th) द्विवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (Genitive)

• त्रिवर्गः: the three aims (dharma-artha-kāma)
• त्रिवर्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः द्विगुः (त्रयाणां वर्गः)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'there')

• वर्धते: grows, prospers
• वर्धते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• मृते: when (he) is dead
• मृते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृत (√मृ, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; 'पत्यौ' इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (when the husband is dead)

• जीवति: when (he) is alive
• जीवति: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जीवत् (√जीव्, शतृ-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; 'पत्यौ' इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (when the husband is alive)

• या: she who
• या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• पत्यौ: with respect to (her) husband
• पत्यौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (वैकल्पिक रूप); अर्थः 'पत्यौ' = पत्यौ सति/पत्यौ मृते (with regard to the husband)

• या: she who
• या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• अन्यम्: another (man)
• अन्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• उपगच्छति: approaches, goes to (sexually/for union)
• उपगच्छति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + √गम् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dampatyoḥ avirodha (spousal concord) nourishes dharma-artha-kāma; fidelity (ananya-upagamana) defines pativratā ideal.

Vedantic Theme: Harmony and restraint reduce rajas/tamas, supporting sattva and inner peace; ethical life as groundwork for higher pursuit.

Application: Cultivate communication, trust, and shared goals; interpret fidelity as mutual commitment and integrity, including emotional and ethical faithfulness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: household

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95.18 (social response to vyabhicāra); Garuda Purana 1.95.21 (maintenance duty)

FAQs

What is the importance of marital harmony in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that when husband and wife live without conflict, the three human aims—dharma, artha, and kāma—naturally prosper in that household.

How does this verse explain dharma in family life?

It frames household life as a foundation for dharma: concord between spouses sustains righteous living and supports prosperity and legitimate enjoyment within ethical bounds.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate mutual respect and conflict-resolution in marriage; a harmonious home strengthens ethical decisions, financial stability, and emotional well-being.