Shloka 48
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
वैरिणा सह सन्धाय विश्वस्तो यदि तिष्ठति / स वृक्षाग्रे प्रसुप्तो हि पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते
vairiṇā saha sandhāya viśvasto yadi tiṣṭhati / sa vṛkṣāgre prasupto hi patitaḥ pratibudhyate
ശത്രുവുമായി സന്ധി ചെയ്തു ഒരാൾ നിർഭയമായി വിശ്വാസത്തിൽ അശ്രദ്ധനായി നിലകൊള്ളുകയാണെങ്കിൽ, അവൻ വൃക്ഷത്തിന്റെ മുകളിൽ ഉറങ്ങുന്നവനെപ്പോലെ—വീണശേഷം മാത്രമേ ഉണരൂ।
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Sandhi with an enemy requires continued caution; trust without guard leads to irreversible harm.
Vedantic Theme: Māyā-like appearance of safety; heedfulness (apramāda) as a protector of life and dharma.
Application: After reconciliation, maintain safeguards: verify intentions, keep boundaries, avoid complacency; in personal life, don’t ‘sleep’ in risky positions—anticipate failure modes.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: forest/tree-top (simile) and political/social sphere (treaty with enemy)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.46–48 (cluster of prudence/trust teachings)
FAQs
This verse teaches that blind trust—especially toward an enemy—even after a truce can lead to sudden harm; discernment and alertness are part of dharma.
Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s broader moral framework: harmful choices and negligence create suffering; wise conduct helps avoid avoidable downfall that later becomes a cause of regret.
Keep clear boundaries with unreliable or hostile people, verify intentions, and don’t become complacent simply because there is a temporary agreement.