Shloka 42
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Restraint and the Pāṇḍavas’ Authorized Return (धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
शिरो गृहीत्वा विदुरो गतसत्त्व इवाभवत् | आस्ते ध्यायन्नधोवक्त्रो नि:श्वसन्निव पन्नग:,विदुरजी तो दोनों हाथोंसे अपना सिर थामकर बेहोश-से हो गये। वे फुँफकारते हुए सर्पकी भाँति उच्छवास लेकर मुँह नीचे किये हुए गम्भीर चिन्तामें निमग्न हो बैठे रह गये
śiro gṛhītvā viduro gatasattva ivābhavat | āste dhyāyann adhovaktro niḥśvasann iva pannagaḥ |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Vidura, llevándose la cabeza entre ambas manos, quedó como privado de fuerza y de conciencia. Con el rostro inclinado, permaneció sentado, absorto en una reflexión grave, respirando pesadamente como una serpiente: señal exterior de la angustia interior ante el derrumbe del dharma en la asamblea.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical sensitivity of a dhārmic counsellor: when righteousness is violated in public life, a wise person may feel profound inner distress. Vidura’s bodily reaction symbolizes moral shock and the burden of witnessing adharma without being able to stop it.
In the Kuru assembly during the escalating injustice, Vidura is overwhelmed. Holding his head, he sits with lowered face, lost in anxious thought, breathing heavily—like a serpent—showing intense agitation and sorrow at the unfolding wrongdoing.