Shloka 20
Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
उत्तमानेव सेवेत प्राप्तकाले तु मध्यमान् । अधर्मांस्तु न सेवेत य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:,जो अपनी एऐश्वर्यवृद्धि चाहता है, वह उत्तम पुरुषोंकी ही सेवा करे, समय आ पड़नेपर मध्यम पुरुषोंकी भी सेवा कर ले, परंतु अधम पुरुषोंकी सेवा कदापि न करे
uttamān eva seveta prāptakāle tu madhyamān | adharmāṁs tu na seveta ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||
One who seeks the growth of his own prosperity should serve only the best of men; when circumstances demand, he may also serve those of middling worth. But he should never attach himself in service to the unrighteous, for such association undermines true welfare and ethical standing.
हंस उवाच
Educational Q&A
Choose association and service wisely: align with the excellent, accept the middling only when necessary, and never serve the unrighteous—because prosperity and true welfare depend on dharmic company.
Haṃsa delivers a didactic maxim within Udyoga Parva’s counsel-oriented setting, emphasizing prudent social alignment as a means to safeguard both ethical integrity and worldly flourishing.