Chanakya Neeti. Chapter 1, Verse 15: On Discernment and Company
Chapter 1 · Verse 15
On Discernment and Company
नदीनां शस्त्रपाणीनांनखीनां शृङ्गिणां तथा । विश्वासो नैव कर्तव्यः स्त्रीषु राजकुलेषु च ॥
nadīnāṃ śastrapāṇīnāṃnakhīnāṃ śṛṅgiṇāṃ tathā | viśvāso naiva kartavyaḥ strīṣu rājakuleṣu ca ||
❖ ❖ ❖
“Rivers, armed men, those with claws, those with horns, women, and royal families. Do not trust any of these.”
In Modern Life
Read this not as misogyny but as a list of things whose behavior can change without warning. Rivers flood, weapons fire, animals turn, power holders shift. The lesson: structure your dealings so a sudden change doesn't ruin you. Have written agreements. Have exits. Don't bet your life on any single relationship. Including political ones.
