Shloka 28

Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)

Devanagari script

सर्वेषां कृतवैराणामविश्वास: सुखोदय: । एकान्ततो न विश्वास: कार्यो विश्वासघातकै:ः

Transliteration

sarveṣāṁ kṛtavairāṇām aviśvāsaḥ sukhodayaḥ | ekāntato na viśvāsaḥ kāryo viśvāsaghātakaiḥ ||

Translation

Брахмадатта сказал: «Для всех, кто вступил во вражду, вернейшее средство сохранить своё благополучие — воздержаться от взаимного доверия. Никогда не следует полностью доверяться тем, кто предаёт доверие: опора, поставленная не на того, становится дверью к беде, а не к счастью».

Word by Word

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• कृतवैराणाम्: of those who have made enmity (mutual enemies)
• कृतवैराणाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृतवैर
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural

• अविश्वासः: distrust
• अविश्वासः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविश्वास
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सुखोदयः: rise/attainment of happiness
• सुखोदयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुखोदय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• एकान्ततः: entirely, absolutely
• एकान्ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एकान्ततस्

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• विश्वासः: trust
• विश्वासः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वास
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कार्यः: should be done (is to be made)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Gerundive (future passive participle), Singular

• विश्वासघातकैः: by/with betrayers of trust
• विश्वासघातकैः: Karana
• Type: Noun/Adjective
• Root: विश्वासघातक
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Brahmadatta

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.