Shloka 3

Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma

Devanagari script

क्षत्रधर्मरता दान्ता विदुला दीर्घदर्शिनी । विश्रुता राजसंसत्सु श्रुत॒वाक्या बहुश्रुता

Transliteration

kṣatradharmaratā dāntā vidulā dīrghadarśinī | viśrutā rājasasaṃsatsu śrutavākyā bahuśrutā ||

Translation

Vidulā war dem Kṣatriya-Dharma (kṣatriya-dharma) ergeben und in Selbstbeherrschung geübt. Weitblickend und berühmt, wurde sie in königlichen Versammlungen wegen ihrer wohlbedachten Rede und ihrer umfassenden Gelehrsamkeit gerühmt.

Word by Word

क्षत्रधर्मरताdevoted to the duty of a kshatriya

दान्ताself-controlled, disciplined

विदुलाVidulā (proper name)

दीर्घदर्शिनीfar-sighted, prudent

विश्रुताwell-known, renowned

राजसंसत्सुin royal assemblies/courts

श्रुतवाक्याwhose words are heeded/renowned for speech

बहुश्रुताmuch-heard, very learned

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vidulā

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse elevates an ideal of leadership counsel: true authority is grounded in kṣatriya-dharma (duty and courage), disciplined self-control, far-sighted judgment, and learning that makes one’s speech worthy of being heard in royal councils.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva introduces Vidulā by praising her character and reputation—portraying her as a renowned, learned, and prudent figure whose counsel carries weight in royal assemblies—thereby preparing the listener to trust the guidance that follows.