वने रणे शत्रुजलाग्निमध्ये
महार्णवे पर्वतमस्तके वा ।
सुप्तं प्रमत्तं विषमस्थितं वा
रक्षन्ति पुण्यानि पुराकृतानि ॥

This verse is from Nītiśataka (नीतिशतक), a collection of hundred verses on ethics and wise conduct, believed to have been composed sometime between the 5th and 7th century CE, traditionally attributed to the Sanskrit poet and scholar Bharthṛhari (भर्तृहरि).

This verse belongs to a section discussing the importance of puṇya (merit from righteous deeds) and how it protects an individual from harm. It emphasizes that past virtuous actions safeguard a person in all circumstances, whether in forests, battles, dangerous elements (fire and water), or even when careless and unaware of potential threats.

The verse from Nītiśataka can be translated into English as follows:

Here is a literal, word-for-word translation:

• वने (vane) – In the forest
• रणे (raṇe) – In battle
• शत्रु-जल-अग्नि-मध्ये (śatru-jala-agni-madhye) – In the midst of enemies, water, and fire
• महार्णवे (mahārṇave) – In the great ocean
• पर्वत-मस्तके (parvata-mastake) – On the peak of a mountain
• वा (vā) – Or
• सुप्तं (suptaṁ) – Asleep
• प्रमत्तं (pramattaṁ) – Careless/intoxicated
• विषम-स्थितं (viṣama-sthitaṁ)– In a dangerous/uneven place
• वा (vā) – Or
• क्षन्ति (rakṣanti) – Protect
• पुण्यानि (puṇyāni)– Meritorious deeds (good karma)
• पुरा-कृतानि (purā-kṛtāni) Done in the past

So the literal meaning:

Whether in a forest, in battle, in the midst of enemies, water, or fire; in the great ocean or on the peak of a mountain; whether asleep, careless, or in a dangerous place—one's past good deeds protect them.

This verse emphasizes the belief that past virtuous actions (good karma) safeguard a person in all circumstances.

Whether in a forest, on the battlefield, amidst enemies, water, or fire,
In the vast ocean or on the peak of a mountain,
Whether asleep, careless, or in a dangerous situation,
One's past good deeds provide protection.

This verse emphasizes the idea that the merits of one's past virtuous actions serve as a safeguard in times of peril, no matter how dire the circumstances.

In battle, in the forest, at the precipice in the mountains,
On the dark great sea, in the midst of javelins and arrows,
In sleep, in confusion, in the depths of shame,
The good deeds a man has done before defend him.

-- Robert Oppenheimer translation

In a forest, in a battle, amongst enemies, amidst water or fire,
in a vast ocean or on the tip of a mountain, while asleep,
awake or in danger - virtuous deeds from (our) past are the protectors.

--Niti Shataka, verse 97
Sanskrit Pearls

In the forest, in the battle-field, in the midst of enemies, or waters, or fire,
in the great ocean or on the top of the mountain,
whether one is sleeping, or intoxicated, or in any danger,
the meritorious actions of the past alone protect a man.