Shloka 75
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय 33: धृतराष्ट्र-विदुर संवादः (विदुरनीतिः)
हिंसा बलमसाधूनां राज्ञां दण्डविधिबलम् | शुश्रूषा तु बल॑ स्त्रीणां क्षमा गुणवतां बलम्,दुष्ट पुरुषोंका बल है हिंसा, राजाओंका बल है दण्ड देना, स्त्रियोंका बल है सेवा और गुणवानोंका बल है क्षमा
hiṃsā balam asādhūnāṃ rājñāṃ daṇḍa-vidhi-balam | śuśrūṣā tu balaṃ strīṇāṃ kṣamā guṇavatāṃ balam ||
Vidura said: For the wicked, strength takes the form of violence; for kings, strength lies in the rightful administration of punishment. For women, strength is devoted service; and for the virtuous, strength is forgiveness.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes kinds of 'strength' according to character and duty: the wicked rely on violence, rulers must rely on lawful punishment to uphold order, devoted service is praised as a strength in the domestic sphere, and the truly virtuous display strength through forgiveness and restraint.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers moral counsel (nīti) amid rising tensions before the great war, emphasizing dharmic conduct and the proper use of power—especially contrasting destructive force with disciplined governance and inner virtue.