Shloka 20
शत्रोरपत्यानि प्रियंवदानि नोपेक्षितव्यानि बुधैर्मनुष्यैः / तान्येव कालेषु विपत्कराणि विषस्य पात्राण्यपि दारुणानि
śatrorapatyāni priyaṃvadāni nopekṣitavyāni budhairmanuṣyaiḥ / tānyeva kāleṣu vipatkarāṇi viṣasya pātrāṇyapi dāruṇāni
शत्रोरपत्यानि प्रियंवदानि नोपेक्षितव्यानि बुधैर्मनुष्यैः। तान्येव कालेषु विपत्कराणि विषस्य पात्राण्यपि दारुणानि॥
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)
Concept: Do not be deceived by pleasing speech or appearances when the source is hostile; latent harm ripens in time.
Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discernment) amid māyā-like appearances; recognizing anitya and deceptive forms.
Application: Maintain boundaries with hostile networks; verify incentives, loyalties, and long-term risk before trusting intermediaries.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.110 (nīti/ācāra-oriented counsel; surrounding verses on prudence and strategy)
FAQs
This verse teaches discernment: outwardly pleasing speech from an enemy’s side should not be naively dismissed, because it can mature into real harm at the right moment.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; rather, it gives ethical guidance for worldly life (ācāra/nīti), emphasizing vigilance and wise judgment.
Do not equate politeness with goodwill—verify intentions through consistent actions, set boundaries, and avoid complacency around those with a history of hostility.