Shloka 84
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
यत् पृथिव्यां ब्रीहियवं हिरण्यं पशव: स्त्रिय: । नालमेकस्य तत् सर्वमिति पश्यन् न मुहृति
yat pṛthivyāṃ brīhiyavaṃ hiraṇyaṃ paśavaḥ striyaḥ | nālam ekasya tat sarvam iti paśyan na muhṛti ||
Vidura teaches that all the rice and barley, gold, cattle, and even women found on this earth are still not enough to satisfy even a single person’s craving. One who clearly sees this truth does not fall into delusion, because he recognizes that desire is inherently insatiable and therefore restrains himself in the path of dharma.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire is limitless: even the totality of worldly goods cannot fully satisfy a single person. Recognizing this, a wise person avoids moha (delusion) and practices restraint, choosing dharma over endless acquisition.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura is giving moral counsel (Vidura-nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations. He warns against greed and attachment, urging clear discernment so that leaders do not act from delusion and thereby invite ruin.