Shloka 52
Nīti-saṅgraha: Conduct, Association, Kali-yuga Decline, and the Supremacy of Vidyā
न सा सभा यत्र न सन्ति वृद्धाः वृद्धा न ते ये न वदन्ति धर्मम् / धर्मः स नो यत्र न सत्यमस्ति नैतत्सत्यं यच्छलेनानुविद्धम्
na sā sabhā yatra na santi vṛddhāḥ vṛddhā na te ye na vadanti dharmam / dharmaḥ sa no yatra na satyamasti naitatsatyaṃ yacchalenānuviddham
That is not an assembly where the elders are absent; and they are not truly elders who do not speak of dharma. Dharma does not exist where truth is not present; and that is not truth which is tainted by deceit.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Institutions and authority are valid only when grounded in satya and dharma; deceit corrupts even ‘truth’.
Vedantic Theme: Satya as a manifestation of Brahman/ṛta; adharma arises from avidyā and self-interest; integrity is non-negotiable.
Application: Build decision-making spaces with wise, principled voices; reject manipulative rhetoric; establish norms of transparency and truthfulness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: institutional space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.115.53 (satya as highest vow); Garuda Purana 1.115.51 (adambha as dharma)
FAQs
The verse equates dharma with satya: where truth is absent, dharma cannot stand, and any ‘truth’ mixed with deceit is rejected as false.
It frames social and religious order as dependent on wise guidance and honest speech—elders must actively uphold dharma, and dharma must be grounded in truth rather than manipulation.
Seek counsel from genuinely ethical elders, speak up for principled conduct in groups, and avoid half-truths—deceitful speech undermines both trust and righteousness.