Shloka 30
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
अश्रुतश्न समुन्नद्धो दरिद्रश्न महामना: । अर्थाश्वाकर्मणा प्रेप्सुर्मूढ इत्युच्यते बुधै:
aśrutaḥ śna samunnaddho daridraḥ śna mahāmanāḥ | arthāśvā karmaṇā prepsur mūḍha ity ucyate budhaiḥ ||
Vidura says: The wise call a man ‘deluded’ who, without learning, becomes puffed up with pride; who, though poor, entertains grand ambitions; and who, without doing the work, still longs to obtain wealth. The verse censures empty arrogance and unrealistic desire, urging humility, disciplined effort, and a grounded pursuit of prosperity in accord with dharma.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Pride without learning, ambition without means, and craving for wealth without effort are marks of delusion; wisdom lies in humility, realistic aims, and earning through rightful action.
In Vidura’s counsel (nīti) during the Udyoga Parva, he offers ethical instruction by defining traits that the wise condemn, warning against arrogance and idle greed as the crisis of the Kuru court intensifies.