Shloka 48
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
वैरिणा सह सन्धाय विश्वस्तो यदि तिष्ठति / स वृक्षाग्रे प्रसुप्तो हि पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते
vairiṇā saha sandhāya viśvasto yadi tiṣṭhati / sa vṛkṣāgre prasupto hi patitaḥ pratibudhyate
دشمن سے صلح کر کے اگر کوئی بےفکری سے بھروسا کیے رہے، تو وہ درخت کی چوٹی پر سوئے ہوئے آدمی کی مانند ہے—وہ گرنے کے بعد ہی جاگتا ہے۔
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Sandhi with an enemy requires continued caution; trust without guard leads to irreversible harm.
Vedantic Theme: Māyā-like appearance of safety; heedfulness (apramāda) as a protector of life and dharma.
Application: After reconciliation, maintain safeguards: verify intentions, keep boundaries, avoid complacency; in personal life, don’t ‘sleep’ in risky positions—anticipate failure modes.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: forest/tree-top (simile) and political/social sphere (treaty with enemy)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.46–48 (cluster of prudence/trust teachings)
FAQs
This verse teaches that blind trust—especially toward an enemy—even after a truce can lead to sudden harm; discernment and alertness are part of dharma.
Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s broader moral framework: harmful choices and negligence create suffering; wise conduct helps avoid avoidable downfall that later becomes a cause of regret.
Keep clear boundaries with unreliable or hostile people, verify intentions, and don’t become complacent simply because there is a temporary agreement.