Shloka 31
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
स्वमर्थ यः परित्यज्य परार्थमनुतिष्ठति । मिथ्या चरति मित्रार्थे यश्च॒ मूढ: स उच्यते,जो अपना कर्तव्य छोड़कर दूसरेके कर्तव्यका पालन करता है तथा मित्रके साथ असत् आचरण करता है, वह मूर्ख कहलाता है
svamarthaṁ yaḥ parityajya parārtham anutiṣṭhati | mithyā carati mitrārthe yaś ca mūḍhaḥ sa ucyate ||
Vidura said: He is called a fool who abandons his own proper duty and takes up another’s duty instead; and who, for the sake of a friend, behaves falsely—acting against truth and right conduct.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not abandon your own rightful duty to perform another’s, and do not commit false or unrighteous acts even for a friend’s benefit; such conduct shows delusion and poor discernment.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he lays down a principle of wise conduct: loyalty to friends must remain within the bounds of truth and dharma, and one should not forsake one’s own proper responsibilities.