Mahabharata 1.204.2 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 204, Shloka 2
Tilottamā, Sunda–Upasunda, and the Pāṇḍava Samaya (Ādi Parva 204)
प्रियं हितं च तद् वाक्यमुक्तवान् कुरुसत्तम: । भीष्म: शांतनवो राजन प्रतिगृह्नासि तन्न च
priyaṃ hitaṃ ca tad vākyaṃ muktavān kurusattamaḥ | bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo rājan pratigṛhṇāsi tan na ca ||
Vidura sprach: „O König, Bhishma, der Sohn Shantanus—der Vornehmste unter den Kurus—hat Worte gesprochen, die zugleich angenehm und wahrhaft heilsam sind. Doch du nimmst sie nicht an.“
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True counsel often combines what is pleasant (priya) with what is beneficial (hita). A ruler’s ethical failure is shown not merely by hearing wise advice, but by refusing to accept and act upon it—especially when it comes from elders like Bhīṣma.
Vidura addresses the king and reproaches him for ignoring Bhīṣma’s well-meant advice. The verse highlights a courtly situation where sound guidance is available, yet the king’s disposition prevents him from receiving it.
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