Shloka 24
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
निश्चित्य यः प्रक्रमते नानतर्वसति कर्मण: । अवन्ध्यकालो वश्यात्मा स वै पण्डित उच्यते,जो पहले निश्चय करके फिर कार्यका आरम्भ करता है, कार्यके बीचमें नहीं रुकता, समयको व्यर्थ नहीं जाने देता और चित्तको वशमें रखता है, वही पण्डित कहलाता है
niścitya yaḥ prakramate nāntarvasati karmaṇaḥ | avandhyakālo vaśyātmā sa vai paṇḍita ucyate ||
Dice Vidura: Verdaderamente sabio es quien primero fija una resolución clara y luego emprende su obra; quien no vacila ni se detiene a mitad de la tarea; quien no deja que el tiempo se desperdicie en vano; y quien mantiene bajo dominio su mente y su propio ser. Tal firmeza de propósito y señorío de sí mismo es la señal de un paṇḍita.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wisdom is shown by disciplined action: decide clearly before starting, persist without wavering, do not waste time, and maintain self-mastery. These traits together define a paṇḍita in Vidura’s ethical teaching.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers counsel on conduct and statecraft during the tense pre-war negotiations. Here he characterizes the ‘wise person’ through practical virtues—resolve, perseverance, valuing time, and control of the mind—meant to guide leaders and individuals amid crisis.