Shloka 8
सदाचार-नियमाः: शील, संयम, संग-निषेध, शुचिता, वाणी-नीति, परोपकारः
नावगाहेज् जलौघस्य वेगम् अग्रे नरेश्वर प्रदीप्तं वेश्म न विशेन् नारोहेच् छिखरं तरोः
nāvagāhej jalaughasya vegam agre nareśvara pradīptaṃ veśma na viśen nārohec chikharaṃ taroḥ
மனிதர்களின் அரசே! வெள்ளத்தின் வேகமான நீரோட்டத்தில் பாய்ந்து இறங்காதே; தீப்பற்றிய வீட்டில் நுழையாதே; மரத்தின் உச்சியில் ஏறாதே. இவ்வாறு ஞானிகள் தேவையற்ற அபாயத்தைத் தவிர்த்து, தர்மத்திற்கும் பரம நன்மைக்கும் உயிரை காக்கின்றனர்—அது பரமேஸ்வரன் விஷ்ணுவின் ஆட்சிக்குள் நிலைபெற்றது.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya, within dharma/nīti teaching)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Rules of prudent conduct that protect life as an instrument for dharma under the Supreme Lord
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Avoid needless physical peril, preserving the body as a support for dharma, which stands under the sovereignty of the Supreme (Viṣṇu).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice risk-awareness and non-recklessness; protect health and life so spiritual and ethical duties can be fulfilled.
Vishishtadvaita: The body and worldly order are to be used in service of the Lord; prudence is part of dharma-oriented living under Nārāyaṇa’s rule.
Vishnu Form: Narayana
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse frames dharma as also practical: the wise avoid obvious hazards (flood-currents, fire, unsafe heights) so that life and duty are not squandered through needless risk.
By giving concrete prohibitions against reckless acts, Parāśara teaches that a king’s steadiness and self-control are essential for protecting subjects and sustaining social order.
Even when the verse is practical, its dharma-setting assumes a cosmos governed by the Supreme; preserving life and order supports the pursuit of righteous duty that ultimately aligns with Viṣṇu as the sustaining Reality.