Shloka 17
त्यजेत् कुलार्थे पुरुष ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत् ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थ आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत्
tyajet kulārthe puruṣaḥ grāmasyārthe kulaṃ tyajet | grāmaṃ janapadasyārtha ātmārthe pṛthivīṃ tyajet ||
Um des Wohlergehen der Familie willen soll man bereit sein, einen Einzelnen preiszugeben; um des Wohlergehens eines Dorfes willen eine Familie; um des Wohlergehens eines Landes willen ein Dorf; und um des höchsten eigenen Heils willen sogar die ganze Erde entsagen.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches a hierarchy of values: one may relinquish a smaller unit to protect a larger common good (individual → family → village → country), but above all, one should prioritize ātmārtha—one’s highest inner welfare—over worldly power and possessions, even ‘the earth’ itself.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers counsel grounded in dharma and practical statecraft. This verse is part of his ethical instruction, urging clear prioritization and readiness to sacrifice lesser attachments for greater welfare, while affirming that spiritual and moral self-interest ultimately outweighs political dominion.