Shloka 21
यथाशक्ति चिकीर्षन्ति यथाशक्ति च कुर्वते । न किंचिदवमन्यन्ते नरा: पण्डितबुद्धय:
yathāśakti cikīrṣanti yathāśakti ca kurvate | na kiñcid avamanyante narāḥ paṇḍitabuddhayaḥ ||
Vidura dit : «Les hommes sages, doués de discernement, conçoivent d’abord ce qu’il faut faire selon leurs forces, puis l’accomplissent selon ces mêmes forces. Ils ne méprisent rien».
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True wisdom is to plan and act in proportion to one’s real capacity (yathāśakti) and to avoid contempt. Ethical action requires humility and accurate self-assessment rather than pride or unrealistic ambition.
In Vidura’s counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he articulates principles of prudent conduct—how the wise deliberate and act without arrogance—aimed at guiding rulers toward responsible, non-contemptuous decision-making.