Shloka 4
Nīti for Calamity, Wealth, Friendship, Charity, and Restraint of Kāma
चलत्येकेन पादेन तिष्ठत्येकेन बुद्धिमान् / न परीक्ष्य परं स्थानं पूर्वमायतनं त्यजेत्
calatyekena pādena tiṣṭhatyekena buddhimān / na parīkṣya paraṃ sthānaṃ pūrvamāyatanaṃ tyajet
Orang bijaksana melangkah dengan satu kaki sambil meneguhkan kaki yang satu lagi; tanpa meneliti dahulu kedudukan yang lebih tinggi, janganlah meninggalkan tempat tinggal lama yang aman.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Do not abandon a secure foundation without examining the superior alternative; proceed with balanced caution.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discrimination) and vairāgya guided by buddhi; avoiding rash attachment/aversion.
Application: Before changing job, residence, alliances, or practices, verify the new option’s stability and ethics; keep a fallback until certainty is gained.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.109 (nīti/ācāra-style counsel cluster)
FAQs
This verse teaches that dharmic living requires verification and discernment—one should not renounce a stable foundation until the better alternative is clearly established.
It advises balanced progress: move forward toward a higher goal while remaining anchored in tested principles, avoiding rash abandonment of what is already sound.
Before major changes—spiritual commitments, vows, career shifts, or rituals—evaluate outcomes and stability; adopt improvements gradually without discarding proven supports prematurely.