Shloka 136
उद्योगपर्व — विदुरनीतिः (Adhyāya 37): आयुःक्षयहेतवः, नीतिसूत्राणि, बलभेदाः, पाण्डव-विग्रहदोषदर्शनम्
तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेज: स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति । जलसे अनिनि, ब्राह्मणसे क्षत्रिय और पत्थरसे लोहा पैदा हुआ है। इनका तेज सर्वत्र व्याप्त होनेपर भी अपने उत्पत्तिस्थानमें शान्त हो जाता है
teṣāṁ sarvatragaṁ tejaḥ svāsu yoniṣu śāmyati | jalase agniḥ, brāhmaṇase kṣatriyaḥ, pattharase lohaḥ prajāyate | eṣāṁ tejaḥ sarvatravyāptaṁ san api svotpattisthāne śāntaṁ bhavati ||
Vidura explains that certain powers, though capable of pervading everywhere, become quiet when they return to their own source. Fire is born from water, a kṣatriya from a brāhmaṇa, and iron from stone; yet the brilliance of these, even when widespread, subsides in the very place from which it arose. The ethical point is that strength and authority are not absolute: they are conditioned by origin, context, and rightful place, and should therefore be exercised with restraint and humility.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power (tejas) may appear all-pervading, but it is ultimately bounded by its proper source and context; therefore one should act with humility and restraint, recognizing limits and rightful place.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he uses illustrative examples (fire from water, kṣatriya from brāhmaṇa, iron from stone) to teach a moral lesson about the nature of strength and its dependence on origins—aimed at guiding rulers away from arrogance and toward dharmic conduct.