Shloka 62
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
एकः क्षमावतां दोषो द्वितीयो नोपपद्यते / यदेनं क्षमया युक्तमशक्तं मन्यते जनः
ekaḥ kṣamāvatāṃ doṣo dvitīyo nopapadyate / yadenaṃ kṣamayā yuktamaśaktaṃ manyate janaḥ
للمتسامح “عيبٌ” واحدٌ لا غير، ولا يثبت له عيبٌ ثانٍ؛ لأن الناس إذا رأوا من اتّصف بالحِلم والصفح ظنّوه ضعيفًا على خطأ.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Forgiveness has one ‘drawback’: others may mistake it for weakness; yet it remains a higher strength.
Vedantic Theme: Sattvic mastery over reactive ego; titikṣā (forbearance) as a purifier of mind.
Application: Practice forgiveness while maintaining clarity and boundaries; respond without vengeance but with firm, measured action when needed.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114 (virtues and social conduct)
FAQs
This verse presents forgiveness as a dharmic strength; the only ‘blemish’ is social misunderstanding—people may label the forgiving person as weak, though the virtue itself remains faultless.
By emphasizing inner virtues like forbearance, it supports a dharmic life that purifies intention and conduct—qualities traditionally linked with better spiritual outcomes beyond death, even when society misjudges them.
Practice forgiveness without equating it to helplessness: remain calm, set boundaries when needed, and choose restraint as a conscious ethical strength rather than fear or passivity.