Shloka 17
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
क्रोधो हर्षश्न दर्पश्ष ही: स्तम्भो मान्यमानिता । यमर्थान्नापकर्षन्ति स वै पण्डित उच्यते
krodho harṣaś ca darpaś ca hrīḥ stambho mānyamānitā | yam arthān nāpakarṣanti sa vai paṇḍita ucyate ||
Vidura said: “Anger, elation, pride, shame, obstinacy, and the self-regard that demands to be honored—one whom these states do not pull away from his true aims and right conduct is indeed called a wise person.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A truly wise person is not thrown off course from righteous aims by powerful inner states—whether negative (anger, stubbornness) or seemingly positive (elation, desire for honor). Wisdom is shown as steadiness and self-governance.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers ethical and political counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations. Here he defines the mark of a paṇḍita as one who remains undisturbed in purpose and dharma despite emotional surges and ego-driven impulses.