Shloka 75
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
अतिकक्लेशेन ये<र्था: स्युर्धर्मस्यातिक्रमेण वा । अरेवा प्रणिपातेन मा सम तेषु मन: कृथा:
atikleśena ye 'rthāḥ syur dharmasyātikrameṇa vā | arevā praṇipātena mā sma teṣu manaḥ kṛthāḥ ||
Vidura said: “Do not set your heart on gains that are obtained only through excessive hardship, through transgressing dharma, or by bowing down in submission before an enemy. Such profit is not worthy of your desire, for it is purchased at the cost of righteousness and self-respect.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches that wealth or advantage is not worth pursuing if it requires extreme suffering, violation of dharma, or humiliating submission to an enemy. Ethical means and personal integrity are placed above material gain.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled context, Vidura addresses the royal side with moral and political instruction, warning against choices driven by greed—especially those that compromise righteousness or dignity in dealings with adversaries.