Shloka 17
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
न सदश्वः कशाघातं सिंहो न गजगर्जितम् / वीरो वा परनिर्दिष्टं न सहेद्भीमनिः स्वनम्
na sadaśvaḥ kaśāghātaṃ siṃho na gajagarjitam / vīro vā paranirdiṣṭaṃ na sahedbhīmaniḥ svanam
الفرس الأصيل لا يحتمل ضربة السوط، والأسد لا يطيق زئير الفيل. وكذلك البطل الحقّ لا يرضى أن يُشار إليه بأنه «تابعٌ لغيره»، ولا يحتمل صياحًا مُرعبًا مُهينًا.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Noble beings resist degrading treatment; a 'vira' preserves autonomy and honor, refusing humiliating labels and intimidation.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as alignment with one’s svadharma and inner dignity; managing rajas (valor) without falling into adharma.
Application: Set boundaries against humiliation and coercion; protect personal integrity; avoid environments that normalize degradation.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110 (niti on avoiding the wicked, preserving dignity, steadfastness)
FAQs
This verse frames honor as a dharmic quality: the ‘vīra’ is portrayed as one who cannot tolerate humiliation or being treated as another’s possession, emphasizing inner dignity and steadfastness.
Indirectly, it teaches the mindset of courage and self-command valued in dharma; such virtues support right conduct, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links to one’s post-death outcomes through karma.
Cultivate self-respect without cruelty: avoid degrading dependence, stand firm against intimidation, and choose dharmic actions that preserve dignity—for yourself and others.