उत्तमैः सह साङ्गत्यं पण्डितैः सह सत्कथाम्। अलुब्धैः सह मित्रत्वं कुर्वाणो नावसीदति॥
uttamaiḥ saha sāṅgatyaṃ paṇḍitaiḥ saha satkathām । alubdhaiḥ saha mitratvaṃ kurvāṇo nāvasīdati ॥
Meaning of Uttamaiḥ Saha Sāṅgatyaṃ Paṇḍitaiḥ
A person who keeps the company of noble people, engages in meaningful discussions with learned individuals, and maintains friendships with selfless and unselfish people never remains unhappy.
Word by word
- उत्तमैःuttamaiḥ
with noble or excellent people
उत्तम
Instrumental plural, used with saha.
- सहsaha
with
- साङ्गत्यम्sāṅgatyam
association, companionship
सम् + √गम्
- पण्डितैःpaṇḍitaiḥ
with learned people
पण्डित
Instrumental plural, used with saha.
- सहsaha
with
- सत्कथाम्satkathām
good or worthwhile conversation
सत् + कथा
- अलुब्धैःalubdhaiḥ
with those free from greed
अ + लुब्ध
Instrumental plural, used with saha.
- सहsaha
with
- मित्रत्वम्mitratvam
friendship
मित्र + त्व
- कुर्वाणःkurvāṇaḥ
one who practises or maintains
√कृ
Sandhi: kurvāṇaḥ + na gives kurvāṇo na.
- नna
not
- अवसीदतिavasīdati
sinks, declines or becomes despondent
अव + √सद्
Commentary
The verse presents well-being as something shaped by one's relationships. Its three parallel phrases repeat saha, 'with': keep company with the noble, share good conversation with the learned, and form friendships with those who are free from greed. Sāṅgatya is more than accidental proximity; it suggests sustained association, while satkathā is worthwhile or elevating conversation. Alubdha describes people who are not grasping or covetous, making character rather than advantage the basis of friendship. The closing nāvasīdati says that one who lives this way does not sink, decline or become despondent. This teaching belongs to the Nitisara section of the Garuda Purana's Achara Kanda, where practical conduct is discussed. The Mahasubhashitasamgraha preserves the same verse as 6497 with saṃkathām, 'conversation together', in place of the Garuda Purana's satkathām, 'good conversation'. Both readings reinforce the same central insight: the quality of our lives is influenced by the character, wisdom and freedom from greed of those with whom we associate.
Sources and textual variants
Original Post
More from Garuda Purana
View source pageउद्यमः साहसं धैर्यं बुद्धिः शक्तिः पराक्रमः। षडेते यत्र वर्तन्ते तत्र दैवं सहायकृत्॥
udyamaḥ sāhasaṃ dhairyaṃ buddhiḥ śaktiḥ parākramaḥ । ṣaḍete yatra vartante tatra daivaṃ sahāyakṛt ॥
Effort, courage, patience, intelligence, strength, and valor prepare a person to receive the help of providence.
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṁ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntir uttamā । vidyaikā paramā tṛptir ahiṁsaikā sukhāvahā ॥
A verse from Vidura Niti in the Mahabharata that pairs four virtues with what each one alone can give: dharma brings the highest good, forgiveness the finest peace, knowledge true contentment, and non-violence lasting happiness.
अद्वैधमनसं युक्तं शूरं धीरं विपश्चितम्। न श्रीः सन्त्यजते नित्यमादित्यमिव रश्मयः॥
advaidhamanasaṃ yuktaṃ śūraṃ dhīraṃ vipaścitam । na śrīḥ santyajate nityam ādityamiva raśmayaḥ ॥
The Mahabharata likens lasting prosperity to the sun's inseparable rays: it remains with one who is focused, courageous, steadfast and discerning.
More subhashitams on Wisdom
View topic pageज्ञानवांश्च तथा वाग्मी कर्मस्वपि च निष्ठितः। एवं युक्तोऽपि न श्रेयान् यदि शीलविवर्जितः॥
jñānavāṃśca tathā vāgmī karmasvapi ca niṣṭhitaḥ । evaṃ yukto'pi na śreyān yadi śīlavivarjitaḥ ॥
Knowledge, eloquence, and skill in work do not make a person worthy of esteem if good character is absent.
शुचित्वं त्यागिता शौर्यं सामान्यं सुखदुःखयोः। दाक्षिण्यं चानुरक्तिश्च सत्यता च सुहृद्गुणाः॥
śucitvaṃ tyāgitā śauryaṃ sāmānyaṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ । dākṣiṇyaṃ cānuraktiśca satyatā ca suhṛdguṇāḥ ॥
Purity, generosity, courage, steadiness in joy and sorrow, courtesy, affection, and truthfulness are the qualities of a true friend.
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत्। स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्मयं तप उच्यते॥
anudvegakaraṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priyahitaṁ ca yat । svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅmayaṁ tapa ucyate ॥
The Bhagavad Gita describes truthful, pleasant, beneficial, and non-agitating words, together with regular study, as austerity of speech.