Shloka 23
न भृत्यानां वृत्तिसंरोधनेन राज्यं धनं॑ संजिघक्षेदपूर्वम् । त्यजन्ति होन॑ वज्चिता वै विरुद्धा: स्निग्धा हामात्या: परिहीनभोगा:,सेवकोंकी जीविका बंद करके दूसरोंके राज्य और धनके अपहरणका प्रयत्न नहीं करना चाहिये; क्योंकि अपनी जीविका छिन जानेसे भोगोंसे वंचित होकर पहलेके प्रेमी मन्त्री भी उस समय विरोधी बन जाते हैं और राजाका परित्याग कर देते हैं
na bhṛtyānāṁ vṛtti-saṁrodhanena rājyaṁ dhanaṁ saṁjighakṣed apūrvam | tyajanti hīna-vacchitā vai viruddhāḥ snigdhā hy amātyāḥ parihīna-bhogāḥ ||
Vidura advises that a king should not try to seize another’s kingdom and wealth by first cutting off the livelihood of his own servants. When their means of living are taken away and they are deprived of enjoyment, even ministers who were formerly affectionate and loyal become hostile in that crisis and abandon the ruler.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must not undermine his own dependents by cutting off their livelihood; such injustice destroys loyalty and turns even trusted ministers into opponents, leading to political collapse.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he warns the king about practical and moral consequences of oppressive policy: depriving servants and officials of maintenance breeds resentment, rebellion, and abandonment at the very moment the ruler seeks external gain.