Shloka 88
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
नारीं विगतकामास्तु कृतार्थाश्व प्रयोजकम् | नावं निस्तीर्णकान्तारा आतुपराश्न चिकित्सकम्,ये छ: प्रायः सदा अपने पूर्व उपकारीका सम्मान नहीं करते हैं--शिक्षा समाप्त हो जानेपर शिष्य आचार्यका, विवाहित बेटे माताका, कामवासनाकी शान्ति हो जानेपर पुरुष स्त्रीका, कृतकार्य मनुष्य सहायकका, नदीकी दुर्गम धारा पार कर लेनेवाले पुरुष नावका तथा रोगी पुरुष रोग छूटनेके बाद वैद्यका
vidura uvāca | nārīṁ vigata-kāmās tu kṛtārthāś ca prayojakam | nāvaṁ nistīrṇa-kāntārā āturāśnī cikitsakam ||
Vidura said: When desire has subsided, people disregard a woman; when the purpose is achieved, they disregard the helper who made it possible; when a perilous passage is crossed, they disregard the boat; and when cured, the patient disregards the physician. Thus many, by habit, fail to honor those who once did them good—forgetting gratitude when need has passed.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura condemns ingratitude: when need ends, people often neglect those who helped them (woman, helper, boat, physician). Dharma requires remembering and honoring benefactors even after one’s purpose is fulfilled.
In Vidura’s counsel (Vidura-nīti) within the Udyoga Parva, he offers ethical instruction through examples, warning that many people habitually discard relationships and supports once they have obtained satisfaction, success, safety, or health.