Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 45
गङ्गामाहात्म्य — The Greatness of the Gaṅgā
दासभावं च शत्रूणां वारस्त्रीणां च सौहृदम् । साधुभावं च सर्पाणां श्रेयस्कामो न विश्वसेत् ॥ ४५ ॥
dāsabhāvaṃ ca śatrūṇāṃ vārastrīṇāṃ ca sauhṛdam | sādhubhāvaṃ ca sarpāṇāṃ śreyaskāmo na viśvaset || 45 ||
One who seeks true welfare should not place trust in an enemy’s show of servility, a courtesan’s affection, or a serpent’s display of gentleness.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It teaches viveka (discriminative wisdom): a seeker of śreyas should avoid naïve trust in unreliable sources of affection, since deception strengthens bondage and distracts from dharma and spiritual progress.
By warning against misleading attachments and false assurances, it supports bhakti indirectly: when the mind is not entangled in deceptive relationships, it can rest steadily in sincere devotion and disciplined conduct.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the verse is primarily dharma-nīti—practical ethical guidance emphasizing caution, self-control, and discernment.