Shloka 22
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
विवेकपूर्ण बुद्धिवाले पुरुष शक्तिके अनुसार काम करनेकी इच्छा रखते हैं और करते भी हैं तथा किसी वस्तुको तुच्छ समझकर उसकी अवहेलना नहीं करते
kṣipraṃ vijānāti ciraṃ śṛṇoti vijñāya cārthaṃ bhajate na kāmāt | nāsampṛṣṭo vyupayuddhate parārthe tat prajñānaṃ prathamaṃ paṇḍitasya ||
Vidura dijo: «El sabio escucha pacientemente durante largo tiempo, y sin embargo comprende con rapidez. Comprendido el asunto, se aplica a lo que es verdaderamente provechoso y justo, no movido por el deseo. Y no se entromete, sin ser requerido, en los asuntos ajenos con palabras vanas. Tal discernimiento es la primera señal del hombre instruido».
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The hallmark of a wise person is disciplined discernment: listen patiently, grasp the point quickly, act for true benefit (artha/dharma) rather than desire, and avoid meddling or argumentative speech in others’ affairs unless asked.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura is giving counsel on conduct and statesmanship. Here he defines the primary sign of a paṇḍita (learned person) through traits of attentive listening, swift understanding, duty-oriented action, and restrained, non-intrusive speech.