Shloka 71
Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
राजन! पहले जूएमें द्रौयदीको जीती गयी देखकर मैंने आपसे कहा था--“आप द्यूतक्रीड़ामें आसक्त दुर्योधनको रोकिये, विद्वानूलोग इस प्रवंचनाके लिये मना करते हैं।' किंतु आपने मेरा कहना नहीं माना ।। न तद् बल॑ यन्मृदुना विरुध्यते सूक्ष्मो धर्मस्तरसा सेवितव्य: । प्रध्वंसिनी क्रूरसमाहिता श्री- मृदुप्रौढा गच्छति पुत्रपौत्रान्,वह बल नहीं, जिसका मृदुल स्वभावके साथ विरोध हो; सूक्ष्म धर्मका शीघ्र ही सेवन करना चाहिये। क्रूरतापूर्वक उपार्जित लक्ष्मी नश्वर होती है, यदि वह मृदुलतापूर्वक बढ़ायी गयी हो तो पुत्र-पौत्रों-तनक स्थिर रहती है
rājan! pūrvaṁ dyūte draupadī jitāṁ dṛṣṭvāham tvām avadam—“dyūtakrīḍāyām āsaktaṁ duryodhanaṁ nivāraya; vidvāṁso ’sya pravañcanāyāḥ pratiṣedhaṁ kurvanti” iti. tvaṁ tu mama vacanaṁ nānvaśṛṇoṣi. na tad balaṁ yan mṛdunā virudhyate; sūkṣmo dharmas tarasā sevitavyaḥ. pradhvaṁsinī krūrasamāhitā śrīḥ; mṛdu-prauḍhā gacchati putra-pautrān.
Vidura reminds the king that when Draupadī was won in the dice-game, he had warned him to restrain Duryodhana, for the wise condemn such deceit. Yet the king did not heed him. Vidura then states an ethical principle: that is not true strength which stands opposed to gentleness; subtle dharma must be embraced promptly and carefully. Wealth amassed through cruelty is ruinous and short-lived, whereas prosperity nurtured through mildness and maturity endures, passing on to one’s sons and grandsons.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True strength does not oppose gentleness; dharma is subtle and must be adopted without delay. Prosperity gained through cruelty is unstable and self-destructive, while wealth cultivated through mildness and mature conduct becomes lasting and benefits future generations.
Vidura recalls his earlier warning to Dhṛtarāṣṭra during the dice-game episode—urging him to restrain Duryodhana and reject deceit. He reproaches the king for ignoring that counsel and draws a moral lesson about governance, ethical restraint, and the long-term consequences of unjustly acquired wealth.