Shloka 18
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
कुलकी रक्षाके लिये एक मनुष्यका, ग्रामकी रक्षाके लिये कुलका, देशकी रक्षाके लिये गाँवका और आत्माके कल्याणके लिये सारी पृथ्वीका त्याग कर देना चाहिये ।। आपदर्थे धन रक्षेद् दारान् रक्षेद् धनैरपि । आत्मानं सतत रक्षेद् दारैरपि धनैरपि,आपत्तिके लिये धनकी रक्षा करे, धनके द्वारा भी स्त्रीकी रक्षा करे और स्त्री एवं धन दोनोंके द्वारा सदा अपनी रक्षा करे
kulārthe tyajet puruṣaṁ grāmārthe kulam eva ca | janapadārthe grāmaṁ tyajed ātmārthe pṛthivīm api || āpadarthe dhanaṁ rakṣed dārān rakṣed dhanair api | ātmānaṁ satataṁ rakṣed dārair api dhanair api ||
Vidura teaches a hierarchy of prudent sacrifice and self-preservation: for the safety of a lineage one may give up an individual; for the safety of a village one may give up a family; for the safety of a realm one may give up a village; and for the welfare of one’s own soul one may even renounce the whole earth. In times of calamity one should safeguard wealth; with wealth one should protect one’s wife and household; yet above both wife and wealth one must always protect oneself—one’s life and inner well-being—using even wealth and family ties as means when necessary.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura sets a graded order of what may be sacrificed for a higher good (individual < family < village < realm), while also insisting that one’s own life and inner welfare must be protected above possessions and even family—especially in times of danger.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers counsel on dharma and statecraft during the tense pre-war negotiations. This verse is part of his practical instruction on how to prioritize responsibilities and make hard choices under crisis.