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
Beim Vergebenden findet sich nur ein einziger „Makel“; ein zweiter trifft wahrlich nicht zu. Denn die Menschen sehen den von Nachsicht Erfüllten und halten ihn irrtümlich für schwach.
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.