Shloka 2
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 34 — Vidura’s Counsel on Deliberation, Speech-Discipline, and Dharmic Kingship
धृतराष्ट्रने कहा--महाबुद्धे! तुम पुनः धर्म और अर्थसे युक्त बातें कहो। इन्हें सुनकर मुझे तृप्ति नहीं होती। इस विषयमें तुम विलक्षण बातें कह रहे हो ।। विदुर उवाच सर्वतीर्थेषु वा स्नानं॑ सर्वभूतेषु चार्जवम् । उभे त्वेते समे स्यातामार्जवं वा विशिष्यते,विदुरजी बोले--राजन्! सब तीथर्थोमें स्नान और सब प्राणियोंके साथ कोमलताका बर्ताव--ये दोनों एक समान हैं; अथवा कोमलताके बर्तावका विशेष महत्त्व है
vidura uvāca | sarvatīrtheṣu vā snānaṁ sarvabhūteṣu cārjavam | ubhe tv ete same syātām ārjavaṁ vā viśiṣyate ||
Vidura said: “O King, bathing at all sacred fords and practicing straightforward, gentle integrity toward all living beings—these two may be regarded as equal; yet, in truth, integrity and upright conduct toward all creatures is the higher good.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
External religious merit (like bathing at many tīrthas) is valuable, but ethical integrity—straightforward, non-deceptive, kind conduct toward all beings—is at least equal and, more importantly, superior.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura counsels King Dhṛtarāṣṭra with dharma-oriented instruction. Here he contrasts ritual pilgrimage-bathing with moral uprightness, emphasizing that the king should value inner virtue over outward acts.