Shloka 28
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
सर्वेषां कृतवैराणामविश्वास: सुखोदय: । एकान्ततो न विश्वास: कार्यो विश्वासघातकै:ः
sarveṣāṁ kṛtavairāṇām aviśvāsaḥ sukhodayaḥ | ekāntato na viśvāsaḥ kāryo viśvāsaghātakaiḥ ||
Brahmadatta berkata: “Bagi semua yang telah terjerumus ke dalam permusuhan, jalan yang pasti untuk memelihara kesejahteraan ialah menahan diri daripada saling mempercayai. Jangan sekali-kali menaruh kepercayaan penuh pada mereka yang mengkhianati amanah; kerana sandaran yang tersalah tempat menjadi pintu mudarat, bukan kebahagiaan.”
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
In situations of established enmity, prudent restraint is advised: do not rely on an enemy’s goodwill, and never give unconditional trust to those known to betray confidence. The verse frames distrust not as cynicism but as a protective discipline that prevents avoidable suffering.
Brahmadatta is delivering counsel in the didactic mode typical of the Śānti Parva, emphasizing practical ethics and political prudence. Here he warns that where hostility or treachery is already proven, trusting behavior becomes dangerous and undermines one’s security and peace.