Shloka 16
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
कदर्थितस्यापि हि धैर्यवृत्तेर्न शक्यते सर्वगुणप्रमाथः / अधः खलेनापि कृतस्य वह्नेर्नाधः शिखा याति कदाचिदेव
kadarthitasyāpi hi dhairyavṛtterna śakyate sarvaguṇapramāthaḥ / adhaḥ khalenāpi kṛtasya vahnernādhaḥ śikhā yāti kadācideva
Même si l’homme au courage constant est humilié, sa fermeté ne peut être entièrement anéantie. Ainsi la flamme du feu—quand bien même une force mauvaise la presse vers le bas—ne se retourne jamais pour s’élever vers le bas.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Dhairya (fortitude) rooted in character cannot be annihilated by external insult; inner tejas naturally rises like flame despite downward pressure.
Vedantic Theme: Antahkarana-bala and sattva-sthairya: the inner disposition remains steady amid dvandvas (honor/dishonor).
Application: Cultivate resilience; respond to insult without losing integrity; keep one’s purpose steady under social pressure.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110 (series of niti verses on self-respect, avoiding the wicked, steadfastness)
FAQs
This verse presents dhairya as a virtue that cannot be fully extinguished by external humiliation; it is a core dharmic strength that preserves one’s goodness under pressure.
Indirectly, it emphasizes inner character as the stable support for dharma; such steadiness is portrayed as an enduring quality that helps one remain righteous regardless of hostile circumstances.
When insulted or pressured by unethical people, do not abandon good conduct—like a flame that naturally rises, keep your values oriented upward through calm endurance and disciplined action.