Shloka 19
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
सकृद्दुष्टञ्च यो मित्रं पुनः सन्धातुमिच्छति / स मृत्युमेव गृह्णीयाद्गर्भमश्वतरी यथा
sakṛdduṣṭañca yo mitraṃ punaḥ sandhātumicchati / sa mṛtyumeva gṛhṇīyādgarbhamaśvatarī yathā
Whoever wishes to reconcile again with a friend who has once turned wicked—he embraces death itself, like the she-mule that conceives a fetus.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Do not rebind with a once-wicked friend; repeated alliance with proven malice leads to ruin—like a sterile/unnatural conception metaphor signaling fatal consequence.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka in sangati (association): asat-sanga as a cause of downfall; karma unfolds through chosen relationships.
Application: Set firm boundaries; do not re-enter harmful relationships without clear transformation and safeguards; prioritize safety and discernment.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110 (niti on avoiding the wicked, consequences of bad friendship)
FAQs
This verse warns that restoring close ties with someone proven wicked can be self-destructive; dharma includes prudent discrimination (viveka) in whom one trusts.
Indirectly, it reinforces dharmic conduct: avoiding harmful associations prevents actions and entanglements that can lead to suffering and adverse karmic outcomes discussed elsewhere in the text.
Forgive internally if needed, but set firm boundaries—do not re-enter intimate trust with someone who has demonstrated repeated malice or betrayal.