Shloka 21
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
यथाशक्ति चिकीर्षन्ति यथाशक्ति च कुर्वते । न किंचिदवमन्यन्ते नरा: पण्डितबुद्धय:
yathāśakti cikīrṣanti yathāśakti ca kurvate | na kiñcid avamanyante narāḥ paṇḍitabuddhayaḥ ||
Vidura sprach: „Weise Männer, mit unterscheidender Einsicht begabt, nehmen sich zunächst vor, was nach ihrer Kraft zu tun ist, und führen es dann nach eben dieser Kraft aus. Sie verachten nichts.“
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True wisdom is to plan and act in proportion to one’s real capacity (yathāśakti) and to avoid contempt. Ethical action requires humility and accurate self-assessment rather than pride or unrealistic ambition.
In Vidura’s counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he articulates principles of prudent conduct—how the wise deliberate and act without arrogance—aimed at guiding rulers toward responsible, non-contemptuous decision-making.