Shloka 18
शक््त्या जयसि राज्ञो<न्यानृषीन् धर्मोपसेवया । ऐन्द्रे जये धृतमना याम्ये कोपविधारणे
śaktyā jayasi rājño 'nyān ṛṣīn dharmopasevayā | aindre jaye dhṛtamanā yāmye kopavidhāraṇe ||
Vidura sprach: „Durch deine Kraft kannst du andere Könige übertreffen; durch hingebungsvolles Dienen am Dharma kannst du sogar die Weisen übertreffen. In Indras Bereich sei im Sieg standhaft im Geist; in Yamas Bereich zügle den Zorn.“
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly superiority over other rulers comes from strength, but true superiority—worthy even of sages—comes from sustained devotion to dharma. Therefore, remain composed in success and practice restraint, especially by checking anger.
Vidura delivers counsel in the Sabha Parva, framing royal conduct through two symbolic domains: Indra’s (victory and power) and Yama’s (justice and restraint). He urges the listener to be steady in triumph and to master anger as a key ethical discipline.