Shloka 58
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
दो ही अपने विपरीत कर्मके कारण शोभा नहीं पाते--अकर्मण्य गृहस्थ और प्रपंचमें लगा हुआ संन्यासी ।। द्वाविमौ पुरुषौ राजन् स्वर्गस्योपरि तिष्ठत: । प्रभुश्च क्षमया युक्तो दरिद्रश्न प्रदानवान्,राजन! ये दो प्रकारके पुरुष स्वर्गके भी ऊपर स्थान पाते हैं--शक्तिशाली होनेपर भी क्षमा करनेवाला और निर्धन होनेपर भी दान देनेवाला
dvāv imau puruṣau rājan svargasyōpari tiṣṭhataḥ | prabhuś ca kṣamayā yuktaḥ daridraś ca pradānavān ||
Vidura said: O King, two kinds of men attain a station even higher than heaven: one who, though powerful, is joined with forgiveness; and one who, though poor, is nevertheless generous in giving. The teaching praises inner mastery—restraint of power and charity amid scarcity—as the highest ethical excellence.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True greatness is shown not by status but by virtue: the powerful are exalted when they forgive instead of retaliate, and the poor are exalted when they give despite scarcity. These forms of restraint and generosity are said to surpass even heavenly merit.
In Vidura’s counsel to the king in Udyoga Parva, he offers moral instruction (nīti) meant to guide royal conduct and avert ruin: he highlights exemplary types of people whose virtues place them above ordinary rewards, urging the ruler toward patience and ethical governance.