Shloka 43
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
एकं हन्यान्न वा हन्यादिषुर्मुक्तो धनुष्मता । बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतोत्सृष्टा हन्याद् राष्ट्र सराजकम्,किसी धनुर्धर वीरके द्वारा छोड़ा हुआ बाण सम्भव है, एकको भी मारे या न मारे। परन्तु बुद्धिमानद्वारा प्रयुक्त की हुई बुद्धि राजाके साथ-साथ सम्पूर्ण राष्ट्रका विनाश कर सकती है
ekaṁ hanyān na vā hanyādiṣur mukto dhanuṣmatā | buddhir buddhimatotsṛṣṭā hanyād rāṣṭraṁ sa-rājakam ||
Vidura says: A single arrow loosed by a skilled archer may kill one man—or may kill none. But the counsel set in motion by a truly intelligent person can destroy an entire kingdom, together with its king.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Physical weapons have limited reach, but counsel and intelligence—especially when used wrongly—can reshape events and ruin an entire polity. Therefore, advice and policy must be guided by dharma, foresight, and restraint.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Vidura offers moral and political counsel. Here he contrasts the limited harm of an arrow with the far-reaching power of strategic advice, warning the court about the destructive potential of misguided decisions.