Shloka 76
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
पउ्च त्वानुगमिष्यन्ति यत्र यत्र गमिष्यसि । मित्राण्यमित्रा मध्यस्था उपजीव्योपजीविन:,राजन्! आप जहाँ-जहाँ जायँगे, वहाँ-वहाँ मित्र, शत्रु, उदासीन, आश्रय देनेवाले तथा आश्रय पानेवाले--ये पाँच आपके पीछे लगे रहेंगे
pañca tvānugamiṣyanti yatra yatra gamiṣyasi | mitrāṇy amitrā madhyasthā upajīvyopajīvinaḥ, rājan |
Vidura says: “O King, wherever you go, five kinds of people will follow in your wake: friends, enemies, neutrals, those who provide support, and those who live by depending on you.” The counsel underscores that a ruler’s movement and choices inevitably draw a social circle of allies, rivals, the undecided, patrons, and dependents—so one must act with discernment and responsibility.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler never acts in isolation: every step attracts allies, opponents, neutrals, patrons, and dependents. Therefore one must govern with foresight—maintaining friendships, managing hostility, winning over neutrals, honoring benefactors, and protecting those who rely on one’s power.
Vidura is instructing the king in practical dharma and political wisdom during the tense pre-war deliberations of the Udyoga Parva, reminding him that his movements and decisions will be accompanied by shifting groups of people with different interests.