Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 40 — Vidura’s Ethical Counsel and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fatalistic Turn
स ते गुहान् प्रकाशांश्व सर्वान् हृदयसंश्रयान् । प्रवक्ष्यति महाराज सर्वबुद्धिमतां वर:,महाराज! वे समस्त बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ हैं, वे ही आपके हृदयमें स्थित व्यक्त और अव्यक्त सभी प्रकारके प्रश्नोंका उत्तर देंगे
sa te guhān prakāśāṁś ca sarvān hṛdaya-saṁśrayān | pravakṣyati mahārāja sarva-buddhimatāṁ varaḥ ||
মহারাজ! সকল জ্ঞানীদের মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠ সেই মহর্ষি আপনার হৃদয়ে নিহিত—প্রকাশ্য ও গূঢ়—সমস্ত প্রশ্নকে আলোকিত করে তার উত্তর দেবেন।
विदुर उवाच
A ruler should seek guidance from the truly wise, who can address not only stated questions but also the deeper, unspoken doubts within. Ethical governance requires honest self-examination and receptivity to discerning counsel.
Vidura addresses the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), assuring him that a foremost wise person will clarify all his concerns—both concealed and openly expressed—thereby preparing the king to understand and act amid the tense political situation preceding war.