Shloka 69
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
चत्वारि राज्ञा तु महाबलेन वर्ज्यान्याहु: पण्डितस्तानि विद्यात् । अल्पप्रज्जैः सह मन्त्र न कुर्या- न्न दीर्घसूत्र रभसैश्चारणैश्व,थोड़ी बुद्धिवाले, दीर्घसूत्री, जल्दबाज और स्तुति करनेवाले लोगोंके साथ गुप्त सलाह नहीं करनी चाहिये। ये चारों महाबली राजाके लिये त्यागनेयोग्य बताये गये हैं। विद्वान पुरुष ऐसे लोगोंको पहचान ले
catvāri rājñā tu mahābalena varjyāny āhuḥ paṇḍitas tāni vidyāt | alpaprajñaiḥ saha mantraṃ na kuryān na dīrghasūtraṃ rabhasaiś cāraṇaiś ca ||
Vidura says: “The wise advise a mighty king to avoid four kinds of people. A discerning man should recognize them: one should not hold confidential counsel with the dull-witted, the procrastinating, the rash, or those who live by flattery and praise.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Confidential policy-making requires discernment about advisers: avoid consulting those who lack understanding, delay decisions, act rashly, or flatter for advantage, because they undermine sound judgment and secrecy—both essential to righteous and effective kingship.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he instructs the ruler on practical ethics of governance, warning which types of associates a powerful king should keep away from private deliberations.