Shloka 67
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
जो अधर्मके द्वारा कमाये हुए धनसे पारलौकिक कर्म करता है, वह मरनेके पश्चात् उसके फलको नहीं पाता; क्योंकि उसका धन बुरे रास्तेसे आया होता है ।।
kāntāre vanadurgeṣu kṛcchrāsv āpatsu sambhrame | udyateṣu ca śastreṣu nāsti sattvavatāṃ bhayam ||
Vidura teaches that a person of true inner strength does not succumb to fear even in the most frightening conditions—whether lost in a desolate wilderness, trapped on perilous forest paths, pressed by severe calamities, shaken by sudden panic, or even when weapons are raised for attack. Courage grounded in sattva (steadfastness and self-mastery) remains unbroken by external danger.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fearlessness is a mark of sattva—inner steadiness and self-control. External threats (wilderness, hardship, panic, armed attack) do not overpower one whose mind is disciplined and whose courage is rooted in moral strength.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers ethical and practical counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations. Here he emphasizes the ideal of the steadfast person who remains unafraid even amid danger and turmoil.