Shloka 45
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
प्राज्ञोपसेविन वैद्यं धार्मिकं प्रियदर्शनम् । मित्रवन्तं सुवाक्यं च सुहृदं परिपालयेत्
prājñopasevinaṃ vaidyaṃ dhārmikaṃ priyadarśanam | mitravantaṃ suvākyaṃ ca suhṛdaṃ paripālayet ||
Vidura says: One should carefully protect and support a well-wishing friend who keeps company with the wise, is skilled like a physician, lives by dharma, is pleasant to behold, is rich in friendships, and speaks sweet and fitting words. Such a person is a safeguard to one’s welfare and should be preserved with all effort.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Value and protect a genuine well-wisher: a person who associates with the wise, is competent (like a healer), righteous, pleasant in conduct, socially supported, and speaks beneficially. Such a friend strengthens one’s moral and practical welfare.
In Vidura’s counsel within the Udyoga Parva, he outlines qualities of a trustworthy ally and advises that such a suhr̥d should be safeguarded—framing friendship as an ethical and strategic asset during tense political circumstances.