Shloka 59
सर्पश्चाग्निश्व सिंहश्व कुलपुत्रश्न भारत । नावज्ञेया मनुष्येण सर्वे होतेडतितेजस:,भारत! मनुष्योंको चाहिये कि वह साँप, अग्नि, सिंह और अपने कुलमें उत्पन्न व्यक्तिका अनादर न करे; क्योंकि ये सभी बड़े तेजस्वी होते हैं
sarpaś cāgniś ca siṁhaś ca kulaputraś ca bhārata | nāvajñeyā manuṣyeṇa sarve hy ete 'titejasaḥ ||
Vidura advises: “O Bhārata, a person should never treat with contempt a serpent, fire, a lion, or even one born in one’s own lineage. All of these possess overwhelming power, and disrespect toward them can swiftly bring harm.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not show contempt toward beings or persons capable of great harm or influence—especially serpent, fire, lion, and even a member of one’s own lineage—because their power can quickly turn against the disrespectful.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers moral-political counsel (nīti) to the Kuru side, warning against arrogance and reckless disrespect; this verse is a compact caution that power—natural or social—must be approached with restraint.