Shloka 16

Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38

Devanagari script

तादृशै: संगतं नीचै्नशंसैरकृतात्मभि:

Transliteration

tādṛśaiḥ saṅgataṃ nīcaiḥ naśaṃsair akṛtātmabhiḥ

Translation

Vidura warns that keeping company with such base people—cruel, shameless, and undisciplined in character—inevitably corrupts one’s conduct and judgment, drawing a person away from dharma and into disgraceful ways.

Word by Word

• तादृशैः: with such (persons)
• तादृशैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तादृश
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• संगतम्: association/companionship (having associated)
• संगतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संगत
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• नीचैः: with low/base (people)
• नीचैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नीच
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• नृशंसैः: with cruel/merciless (people)
• नृशंसैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नृशंस
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अकृतात्मभिः: with undisciplined/uncontrolled (persons)
• अकृतात्मभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकृतात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vidura

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

One’s moral life is shaped by one’s companions: association with ignoble, cruel, and undisciplined people erodes discernment and leads away from dharma; therefore, choose company that supports self-control and right conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura is delivering ethical counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations, warning against the influence of corrupt associates and urging a return to principled judgment.