Shloka 11
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
परापवादनिरता: परदु:खोदयेषु च | परस्परविरोधे च यतन्ते सततोत्थिता:,जो दूसरोंकी निन्दामें ही लगे रहते हैं, दूसरोंको दुःख देने और आपसमें फूट डालनेके लिये सदा उत्साहके साथ प्रयत्न करते हैं, जिनका दर्शन दोषसे भरा (अशुभ) है और जिनके साथ रहनेमें भी बहुत बड़ा खतरा है, ऐसे लोगोंसे धन लेनेमें महान् दोष है और उन्हें देनेमें बहुत बड़ा भय है
parāpavādaniratāḥ paraduhkhodayeṣu ca | parasparavirodhe ca yatante satatotthitāḥ ||
Vidura says: Those who are addicted to slandering others, who take pleasure in causing others’ suffering, and who constantly strive—ever alert—to set people against one another: taking wealth from such persons is a grave fault, and giving to them is fraught with great danger.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura warns that habitual slanderers and instigators of suffering and discord are morally dangerous; accepting wealth from them is ethically blameworthy, and supporting them through gifts empowers harm and invites fear and risk.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he characterizes a type of harmful person—one who thrives on defamation, cruelty, and fomenting quarrels—and advises caution in financial dealings with such people.