Shloka 19
उद्योगपर्व — धृतराष्ट्रस्य दुर्योधनप्रति शक्तिस्मारक-उपदेशः
Udyoga Parva 63: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel Reminding Duryodhana of Opponent Strength
आशीविषै रक्ष्यमाणं कुबेरदयितं भूशम् । यत् प्राप्य पुरुषो म्त्योउप्यमरत्वं नियच्छति,भयंकर विषधर सर्प उस मधुकी रक्षा करते थे। कुबेरको वह मधु अत्यन्त प्रिय था। हमारे साथी औषधसाधक ब्राह्मणलोग यह बता रहे थे कि इस मधुको पाकर मरणथधर्मा मनुष्य भी अमरत्व प्राप्त कर लेता है। इसको पीनेसे अंधेको दृष्टि मिल जाती है और बूढ़ा भी जवान हो जाता है
āśīviṣair rakṣyamāṇaṁ kubera-dayitaṁ madhu | yat prāpya puruṣo mṛtyopagamya amaratvaṁ niyacchati ||
Vidura says: “That honey—dear to Kubera—was being guarded by deadly, venomous serpents. It is said that whoever obtains it, though subject to death, can secure immortality.” In context, the verse evokes the moral tension between alluring gains and the peril (and impropriety) that surrounds them, hinting that coveted ‘boons’ often come fenced by danger and ethical restraint.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intensely desired rewards (wealth-like or life-extending ‘nectar’) are often surrounded by danger and moral boundaries; craving such gains without discernment can lead one into peril, so one should weigh desire against dharma and consequence.
Vidura describes a wondrous honey, cherished by Kubera, guarded by deadly serpents, and reputed to grant immortality to a mortal who obtains it—an illustrative image used to frame counsel about alluring but hazardous objectives.