Shloka 40
कार्पण्यादेव सहितास्तत्र भूपा नाशवनुवन् प्रतिवक्तुं सभायाम् | एक: क्षत्ता धर्म्यमर्थ ब्रुवाणो धर्मबुद्धा प्रत्युवाचाल्पबुद्धिम्,उस समय सभामें बहुत-से भूपाल एकत्रित थे, परंतु अपनी कायरताके कारण वे उस अन्यायका प्रतिवाद न कर सके। एकमात्र विदुरजीने अपना धर्म समझकर मन्दबुद्धि दुर्योधनसे धर्मानुकूल वचन कहकर उसके अन्यायका विरोध किया
kārpaṇyād eva sahitās tatra bhūpā nāśvanuvan prativaktuṁ sabhāyām | ekaḥ kṣattā dharmyam arthaṁ bruvāṇo dharmabuddhā pratyuvācālpabuddhim ||
In that royal assembly many kings were gathered, yet out of sheer faint-heartedness they did not dare to speak up in protest. Only Vidura, the wise minister, understanding what dharma required, addressed the dull-witted Duryodhana with fitting words and opposed his wrongdoing.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
When adharma is occurring in public, silence born of fear becomes complicity; dharma requires courageous speech. Vidura exemplifies ethical counsel by opposing wrongdoing even when others remain quiet.
In the court, many rulers are present but do not challenge an injustice due to cowardice. Vidura alone speaks up, offering dharmic counsel and directly countering Duryodhana’s improper stance.