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
たとえ堅忍の人が辱められても、その不屈の気質はことごとく滅ぼされない。火の焔もまた、悪しき力に下へ押しつけられても、焔の先は決して下へ向かって昇ることはない。
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.