Shloka 17
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
न सदश्वः कशाघातं सिंहो न गजगर्जितम् / वीरो वा परनिर्दिष्टं न सहेद्भीमनिः स्वनम्
na sadaśvaḥ kaśāghātaṃ siṃho na gajagarjitam / vīro vā paranirdiṣṭaṃ na sahedbhīmaniḥ svanam
ശ്രേഷ്ഠ കുതിര ചാട്ടവടി പ്രഹരം സഹിക്കില്ല; സിംഹം ആനയുടെ ഗർജ്ജനം സഹിക്കില്ല. അതുപോലെ യഥാർത്ഥ വീരൻ ‘മറ്റൊരാളുടെ’ എന്നു ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കലും ഭീകരമായ അപമാനധ്വനിയും സഹിക്കുകയില്ല।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Noble beings resist degrading treatment; a 'vira' preserves autonomy and honor, refusing humiliating labels and intimidation.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma as alignment with one’s svadharma and inner dignity; managing rajas (valor) without falling into adharma.
Application: Set boundaries against humiliation and coercion; protect personal integrity; avoid environments that normalize degradation.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110 (niti on avoiding the wicked, preserving dignity, steadfastness)
FAQs
This verse frames honor as a dharmic quality: the ‘vīra’ is portrayed as one who cannot tolerate humiliation or being treated as another’s possession, emphasizing inner dignity and steadfastness.
Indirectly, it teaches the mindset of courage and self-command valued in dharma; such virtues support right conduct, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links to one’s post-death outcomes through karma.
Cultivate self-respect without cruelty: avoid degrading dependence, stand firm against intimidation, and choose dharmic actions that preserve dignity—for yourself and others.