Shloka 30
Nīti-Upadeśa: Discernment, Proper Use of Resources, and Social Strategy
न सर्ववित्कश्चिदिहास्ति लोके नात्यन्तमूर्खो भुवि चापि कश्चित् / ज्ञानेन नीचोत्तममध्यमेन यो ऽयं विजानाति स तेन विद्वान्
na sarvavitkaścidihāsti loke nātyantamūrkho bhuvi cāpi kaścit / jñānena nīcottamamadhyamena yo 'yaṃ vijānāti sa tena vidvān
या लोकी कोणीही पूर्ण सर्वज्ञ नाही आणि पृथ्वीवर कोणीही सर्वथा मूर्खही नाही. ज्ञान हे नीच, मध्यम व उत्तम अशा स्तरांनी युक्त आहे—हे जो जाणतो, तो त्या जाणिवेनेच खरा विद्वान होय.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Wisdom is recognizing gradations of knowledge and avoiding absolutist self/other judgments.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination) and amanitva (humility) as supports for right knowledge.
Application: Cultivate intellectual humility; evaluate claims by degrees of certainty; learn from those above, teach those below, and refine one’s own middle ground.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Acara sections): recurring emphasis on viveka, madhyama-marga in conduct and counsel
FAQs
This verse teaches that no human is perfectly all-knowing or completely ignorant; recognizing gradations of knowledge cultivates humility and is itself a mark of real wisdom.
By rejecting extremes (claiming omniscience or dismissing others as fools), the verse supports dharmic conduct—measured judgment, respectful learning, and discernment in counsel.
Approach learning with openness: avoid absolutist certainty, learn from those with greater insight, and do not demean those with less—wisdom grows through recognizing different levels of understanding.