Shloka 15
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
नात्मच्छिद्रं परे दद्याद्विद्याच्छिद्रं परस्य च / गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङ्गानि परभावञ्च लक्षयेत्
nātmacchidraṃ pare dadyādvidyācchidraṃ parasya ca / gūhetkūrma ivāṅgāni parabhāvañca lakṣayet
സ്വദോഷങ്ങൾ മറ്റുള്ളവർക്കു വെളിപ്പെടുത്തരുത്; എന്നാൽ മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ ദോഷങ്ങൾ തിരിച്ചറിയണം. ആമപോലെ അവയവങ്ങൾ അകത്തേക്ക് വലിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് സ്വയം കാവലോടെ ഇരിക്കുകയും, മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ ഭാവവും സ്വഭാവവും നിരീക്ഷിക്കുകയും വേണം.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra, within the didactic discourse of the Garuḍa Purāṇa)
Concept: Protect one’s vulnerabilities; practice discretion; observe others’ weaknesses and intentions to avoid harm.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka and saṃyama applied to speech (vāk-niyama) and social conduct; guarding the mind-senses from injury.
Application: Avoid oversharing; keep personal weaknesses private; assess others’ motives before trusting; cultivate measured speech.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana nīti passages on speech-control, secrecy, and discerning company (satsaṅga vs. duḥsaṅga)
FAQs
This verse teaches dharmic prudence: do not publicize your vulnerabilities, remain self-contained, and carefully assess others’ intentions to avoid preventable harm.
Indirectly, it supports the soul’s welfare by prescribing ethical vigilance and self-restraint—qualities that reduce sinful entanglements and strengthen dharmic living, which the Purana links to better post-death outcomes.
Limit oversharing, protect your boundaries, cultivate disciplined senses, and evaluate people and situations calmly before trusting or committing.