Shloka 58
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
नातः श्रीमत्तरं किंचिदन््यत् पथ्यतमं मतम् । प्रभविष्णोर्यथा तात क्षमा सर्वत्र सर्वदा
nātaḥ śrīmattaraṁ kiñcid anyat pathyatamaṁ matam | prabhaviṣṇor yathā tāta kṣamā sarvatra sarvadā ||
Vidura said: “O dear one, for a capable and influential man there is, in my judgment, no remedy more wholesome and no means more truly prosperity-giving than forgiveness—everywhere and at all times.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Forgiveness (kṣamā) is presented as the most wholesome and most prosperity-bringing practice, especially for a capable person; it preserves dharma, prevents escalation of conflict, and strengthens moral authority.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers ethical counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations, urging a stance of forbearance and restraint as the best policy amid rising hostility.