Shloka 50
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
नात्यन्तं सरलैर्भाव्यं नात्यन्तं मृदुना तथा / सरलास्तत्र छिद्यन्ते कुब्जास्तिष्ठन्ति पादपाः
nātyantaṃ saralairbhāvyaṃ nātyantaṃ mṛdunā tathā / saralāstatra chidyante kubjāstiṣṭhanti pādapāḥ
Jangan terlalu lurus dan terus terang, dan jangan pula terlalu lembut hingga mudah mengalah. Di dunia ini, pohon yang lurus ditebang, sedangkan pohon yang bengkok tetap berdiri.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Excessive straightforwardness and excessive softness invite harm; adaptability and guardedness can preserve one’s welfare.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka with loka-vyavahāra (practical life); protecting dharma by avoiding avoidable vulnerability.
Application: Be honest without being indiscreet; keep appropriate confidentiality; cultivate flexibility in negotiation and social dealings.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.49 (avoid extremes); Garuda Purana 1.114.51 (humility of the virtuous)
FAQs
It advises balance in conduct: avoid extreme blunt honesty and extreme softness, because the world often exploits the overly simple or overly yielding.
It frames dharmic living as prudent and discerning—protecting oneself from harm while maintaining righteousness, not naïveté.
Be truthful and kind, but set boundaries—use discernment in speech, trust, and commitments so that goodness is not exploited.