Shloka 44
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
उपस्थितस्य कामस्य प्रतिवादो न विद्यते । अपि निर्मुक्तदेहस्य कामरक्तस्य कि पुन:
upasthitasya kāmasya prativādo na vidyate | api nirmuktadehasya kāmaraktasya ki punaḥ ||
Vidura sprach: Wenn der Gegenstand des Begehrens bereits von selbst vor einem steht, findet sich nur selten Widerstand. Wenn selbst einer, der frei ist von der Identifikation mit dem Körper, dem nicht entgegentritt, was von selbst kommt—was ist dann erst von dem zu sagen, dessen Geist von Gier und Anhaftung entflammt ist?
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura highlights the psychological force of desire: when a tempting object is already at hand, refusal is uncommon. Therefore, one should not trust mere intention; ethical strength requires prior discipline, vigilance, and restraint before desire becomes imminent.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers moral counsel (nīti) during the tense lead-up to war. Here he warns that attachment and craving overpower judgment, implying that leaders driven by desire will not resist unjust gains once they appear attainable.