Shloka 23
विभीषणागमनम्
Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge
अथवास्वयमेवैषछिद्रमासाद्यबुद्धिमान् ।अनुप्रविश्यविश्वस्तेकदाचित्प्रहरेदपि ।।6.17.23।।
athavā svayam evaiṣa chidram āsādya buddhimān | anupraviśya viśvaste kadācit prahared api || 6.17.23 ||
अथवा बुद्धिमान् स्वयमेव छिद्रमासाद्य प्रविश्य, विश्वस्तः सन् कदाचित् प्रहर्तुमपि शक्नुयात्॥
"Or else if he is a wise one and knows our weak points, might have found a way and reached us. He may strike us if he is trusted."
FAQs
Dharma requires responsible trust: सत्य (truth) must be tested through conduct; naïve trust that endangers others is ethically blameworthy.
A warning is given that an intelligent infiltrator can exploit weak points and attack after gaining confidence.
Practical wisdom—balancing openness with safeguards.