Shloka 44
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
एकयाद्े विनिश्िव्य त्री क्षतुर्भिवेशे कुरु । पजञ्च जित्वा विदित्वा षट् सप्त हित्वा सुखी भव,एक (बुद्धि)-से दो (कर्तव्य और अकर्तव्य)का निश्चय करके चार (साम, दान, भेद, दण्ड)-से तीन (शत्रु, मित्र तथा उदासीन)-को वशमें कीजिये। पाँच (इन्द्रियों)-को जीतकर छः (सन्धि, विग्रह, यान, आसन, द्वैधीभाव और समाश्रयरूप) गुणोंको जानकर तथा सात (स्त्री, जूआ, मृगया, मद्य, कठोर वचन, दण्डकी कठोरता और अन्यायसे धनोपार्जन)-को छोड़कर सुखी हो जाइये
ekayā buddhyā viniścitya dve kartavyākartavye | caturbhiḥ sāmadānabhedadaṇḍaiḥ trīn śatrumitrāsīnān vaśe kuru | pañcendriyāṇi jitvā ṣaḍguṇān (sandhivigrahayānāsanadvaidhībhāvasamāśrayān) viditvā sapta tyaktvā sukhī bhava ||
Vidura said: With a single, steady intelligence, first determine the two—what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Then, by the four instruments of policy—conciliation, gifts, division, and punishment—bring the three kinds (enemy, ally, and neutral) under control. Conquer the five senses; understand the six measures of statecraft (peace, war, march, staying, dual policy, and seeking shelter); and abandon the seven ruinous addictions—women (as vice), gambling, hunting, intoxicants, harsh speech, excessive severity in punishment, and acquiring wealth through injustice. Do this, and you will live happily.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches a compact program for ethical and effective leadership: (1) clear moral discernment (duty vs. non-duty), (2) prudent use of the four political means (conciliation, gifts, division, punishment) to handle enemies, allies, and neutrals, (3) mastery over the senses, (4) knowledge of the six strategic options of governance, and (5) renunciation of seven destructive addictions and injustices—leading to stable happiness.
In Udyoga Parva, as tensions rise toward the Kurukṣetra war, Vidura offers counsel on conduct and governance. This verse is part of his nīti-instruction, presenting numbered principles (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven) to guide a ruler or decision-maker toward dharmic policy and personal discipline.