Shloka 4
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
ततोड<र्थगतितत्त्वज्ञ: प्रथमं प्रतिभानवान् | जगाद विदुरो वाक्य धर्मशास्त्रमनुस्मरन्,तब अर्थकी गति और तत्त्वको जाननेवाले प्रतिभाशाली विदुरजीने धर्मशास्त्रका स्मरण करके सबसे पहले कहना आरम्भ किया
tato 'rthagati-tattvajñaḥ prathamaṃ pratibhānavān | jagāda viduro vākyaṃ dharmaśāstram anusmaran ||
Then Vidura—keenly discerning the true principles and the course of practical affairs, and gifted with insight—began to speak first, calling to mind the teachings of the Dharmaśāstras. The narrative signals that what follows is counsel grounded in ethical law and prudent statecraft rather than impulse or factional interest.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sound counsel should arise from dharma-informed reflection: Vidura speaks as one who understands both moral truth (tattva) and the real-world course of policy and consequences (artha-gati), indicating that ethical law and practical prudence must be joined.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Vidura begins speaking first. The verse functions as a transition, introducing Vidura’s forthcoming discourse as grounded in remembered Dharmaśāstra principles and in clear understanding of political and ethical realities.