Shloka 27

हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः

Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace

Devanagari script

जो सेवक स्वामीके आज्ञा देनेपर उनकी बातका आदर नहीं करता, किसी काममें लगाये जानेपर अस्वीकार कर देता है, अपनी बुद्धिपर गर्व करने और प्रतिकूल बोलनेवाले उस भृत्यको शीघ्र ही त्याग देना चाहिये ।। अस्तब्धमक्लीबमदीर्घ॑सूत्रं सानुक्रोशं शलक्ष्णमहार्यमन्यै: । अरोगजातीयमुदारवाक्यं दूतं वदन्त्यष्टगुणोपपन्नम्‌

Transliteration

yo sevakaḥ svāmina ājñā dene para unakī bāt kā ādar nahīṃ karatā, kisī kāma meṃ lagāye jāne para asvīkāra kar detā hai, apanī buddhi par garva karane aura pratikūla bolane-vālā usa bhṛtya ko śīghra hī tyāga denā cāhiye || astabdham aklībam adīrgha-sūtraṃ sānukrośaṃ śalakṣṇam ahāryam anyaiḥ | arogajātīyam udāra-vākyaṃ dūtaṃ vadanty aṣṭa-guṇopapannam ||

Translation

Vidura advises that a servant who, when his master gives an order, does not respect those words; who refuses when assigned to a task; who prides himself on his own intellect and speaks in opposition, should be dismissed without delay. In contrast, an ideal envoy is said to possess eight qualities: he is not arrogant, not cowardly or unmanly, not prone to delay, compassionate, refined and courteous in manner, not easily swayed by others, sound in health and lineage, and one who speaks with dignity and generosity—such a messenger is fit to be entrusted with delicate missions in a time of political crisis.

Word by Word

• {'sevakaḥ/bhṛtyaḥ': 'servant, retainer', 'svāmin': 'master, lord', 'ājñā': 'command, instruction', 'ādar(a)': 'respect, regard', 'asvīkāra': 'refusal, rejection', 'garva': 'pride, arrogance', 'pratikūla': 'contrary, hostile, adverse', 'tyāga': 'abandoning, dismissal', 'dūta': 'messenger, envoy', 'aṣṭa-guṇa-upapanna': 'endowed with eight qualities', 'astabdha': 'not haughty, not stiff with pride', 'aklība': 'not impotent

• by extension not cowardly/unmanly', 'adīrgha-sūtra': 'not long-threaded

• not a procrastinator', 'sānukrośa': 'compassionate, merciful', 'śalakṣṇa': 'polished, well-bred, refined in conduct/speech', 'ahārya (anyaiḥ)': 'not to be led away by others

• not easily influenced', 'aroga-jātīya': 'healthy in constitution and stock

• free from disease', 'udāra-vākya': 'noble, generous, dignified speech'}

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• dūta (envoy/messenger)
• sevaka/bhṛtya (servant)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Vidura teaches discernment in leadership: dismiss a servant who is insubordinate, work-averse, prideful, and oppositional; and rely on an envoy who is humble, courageous, prompt, compassionate, refined, not manipulable, healthy, and dignified in speech—qualities essential for trustworthy diplomacy.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Vidura is giving practical counsel on governance and diplomacy. This verse contrasts the kind of servant who undermines authority with the ideal messenger suited for sensitive political missions.