Shloka 156
स राजा सर्वतश्नक्षुश्रिरमैश्चवर्यम श्रुते । जिस राजाकी मन्त्रणाको उसके बहिरंग एवं अन्तरंग कोई भी मनुष्य नहीं जानते, सब ओर दृष्टि रखनेवाला वह राजा चिरकालतक एऐश्वर्यका उपभोग करता है
sa rājā sarvataś cakṣuḥ śrīr aiśvaryam ca varṇyaṁ śrute | yasya rājñaḥ mantraṇāṁ tasya bahiraṅga-antaraṅgā api manuṣyā na jānanti, sa sarvato-darśī rājā cirakālaṁ aiśvaryasya upabhogaṁ karoti |
Vidura teaches that a king whose counsel and deliberations remain unknown even to those in his outer and inner circles—who guards his plans with disciplined secrecy while keeping vigilant watch in every direction—enjoys prosperity and sovereign power for a long time. The ethical point is that secrecy in statecraft, joined with constant watchfulness, protects the realm and sustains rightful kingship.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should be vigilant and protect the confidentiality of strategic counsel; when even close circles cannot casually access the king’s plans, the kingdom is safeguarded and prosperity endures.
In Vidura’s counsel on kingship (nīti) during the Udyoga Parva, he describes the qualities of an effective king—especially watchfulness and the guarded handling of political deliberations—as a basis for long-lasting sovereignty.