Shloka 29
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
येन खट्वां समारूढ: परितप्येत कर्मणा | आदावेव न तत् कुर्यादश्रुवे जीविते सति,इस जीवनका कोई ठिकाना नहीं है अतएव जिस कर्मके करनेसे (अन्तमें) खटियापर बैठकर पछताना पड़े, उसको पहलेसे ही नहीं करना चाहिये
yena khaṭvāṃ samārūḍhaḥ paritapyeta karmaṇā | ādāveva na tat kuryād aśruve jīvite sati ||
Vidura said: One should not undertake, from the very beginning, any deed that would later bring tormenting remorse—like a man confined to a sickbed—while life is uncertain and fleeting. Since there is no fixed security in this human life, act with foresight and avoid actions whose end is repentance.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not begin actions that you can foresee will end in remorse and suffering; since life is uncertain, choose deeds that you can stand by even at the end.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura is offering moral and practical counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations, urging foresight and restraint in decision-making.