Shloka 73
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
उपगृहा तु वैराणि सान्त्वयन्ति नराधिप । अथीनं प्रतिपिंषन्ति पूर्ण घटमिवाश्मनि
brahmadatta uvāca | upagṛhā tu vairāṇi sāntvayanti narādhipa | athīnaṃ pratipiṃṣanti pūrṇa-ghaṭam ivāśmani, nareśvara ||
Brahmadatta dit : Ô roi, ceux dont la nature est perverse dissimulent leur haine et apaisent l’homme sans méfiance par des paroles douces et conciliantes. Puis, lorsqu’ils trouvent l’occasion, ils l’écrasent sans reste — comme on brise en éclats une jarre pleine d’eau en la jetant contre une pierre.
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not judge intentions solely by pleasant speech: people of corrupt nature may hide enmity behind conciliatory words and strike when you are unguarded. A ruler should combine compassion with vigilance and discernment.
Brahmadatta is instructing a king about the danger of hypocritical enemies: they first pacify their target with sweet talk, then seize an opportunity to destroy him completely, illustrated by the image of a full pot smashed on a stone.