Shloka 81
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
न स्वप्लेन जयेन्निद्रांन कामेन जयेत् स्त्रिय: । नेन्धनेन जयेदर्ग्निं न पानेन सुरां जयेत्
na svalpena jayen nidrāṁ na kāmena jayet striyaḥ | na indhanena jayed agniṁ na pānena surāṁ jayet ||
Vidura advises that one should not try to conquer sleep by merely sleeping a little, nor seek to win over a woman through indulgence in desire. One should not imagine that fire can be overcome by feeding it with fuel, nor think that the habit of drinking liquor can be defeated by drinking more. A vice is not cured by its own increase; restraint and right means are required.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not attempt to remove a weakness by intensifying the very cause of it: sleep is not conquered by token measures, lust does not win true affection, fire is not subdued by adding fuel, and drinking cannot cure the drinking habit. The right remedy is restraint and wise discipline.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers nīti (practical ethical counsel) amid rising tensions before the Kurukṣetra war. This verse is part of his admonitions, using vivid analogies to warn against self-deception and indulgence.