Shloka 39

न वै श्रुतमविज्ञाय वृद्धाननुपसेव्य वा । धर्मार्थी वेदितुं शक्यौ बृहस्पतिसमैरपि,बृहस्पतिके समान मनुष्य भी शास्त्रज्ञान अथवा वृद्धोंकी सेवा किये बिना धर्म और अर्थका ज्ञान नहीं प्राप्त कर सकते इति श्रीमहा भारते उद्योगपर्वणि प्रजागरपर्वणि विदुरवाक्ये एकोनचत्वारिंशो5ध्याय:

na vai śrutam avijñāya vṛddhān anupasevya vā | dharmārthī vedituṁ śakyau bṛhaspati-samair api ||

قال فيدورا: من لم يفهم أولاً ما سمعه من الشريعة والتعليم، أو لم يخدم الشيوخ باحترام ويتعلّم منهم، فلن يقدر—ولو كان مساوياً لبْرِهَسْبَتِي (Bṛhaspati)—أن يعرف الدharma والأرثا (النفع الدنيوي) معرفةً حقّة. إن طلب الاستقامة والمصلحة العملية يحتاج إلى تعلّم منضبط وتدرّب متواضع، لا إلى الذكاء والسمعة وحدهما.

nanot
na:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna
vaiindeed
vai:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootvai
śrutamwhat is heard/learned (scriptural learning)
śrutam:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootśruta
Formneuter, accusative, singular
avijñāyawithout understanding
avijñāya:
TypeVerb
Rootvi-jñā
Formktvā (absolutive/gerund), active, without knowing/understanding
vṛddhānelders
vṛddhān:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootvṛddha
Formmasculine, accusative, plural
anupasevyawithout serving
anupasevya:
TypeVerb
Rootanu-upa-sev
Formktvā (absolutive/gerund), active, without serving/attending upon
or
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
dharma-arthīone who seeks dharma
dharma-arthī:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootdharma-arthin
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
veditumto know
veditum:
TypeVerb
Rootvid
Formtumun (infinitive), active, to know
śakyaupossible/able (dual: are possible)
śakyau:
TypeAdjective
Rootśakya
Formmasculine, nominative, dual
bṛhaspati-samaiḥeven by those equal to Bṛhaspati
bṛhaspati-samaiḥ:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootbṛhaspati-sama
Formmasculine, instrumental, plural
apieven/also
api:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootapi

विदुर उवाच

V
Vidura
B
Bṛhaspati
E
elders (vṛddhāḥ)

Educational Q&A

True knowledge of dharma and artha arises from two foundations: (1) correctly understanding received teaching (śruta) rather than merely hearing it, and (2) humble service and close learning from elders. Mere brilliance is insufficient without comprehension and disciplined mentorship.

In the Udyoga Parva’s Prajāgara section, Vidura offers moral and political counsel. Here he emphasizes that right conduct and sound policy depend on properly assimilated learning and reverence toward experienced elders, setting a standard for how rulers and seekers should learn.