Shloka 23

Devanagari script

ऋणजु पश्यति य: सर्व चक्षुषानुपिबन्निव | आसीनमपि तूष्णीकमनुरज्यन्ति तं प्रजा:

Transliteration

ṛṇaju paśyati yaḥ sarva cakṣuṣānupibann iva | āsīnam api tūṣṇīkam anurajyanti taṃ prajāḥ ||

Translation

Vidura dit : Celui qui considère chacun d’un regard bienveillant et obligeant—comme s’il les buvait des yeux—gagne l’affection du peuple ; même assis en silence, les sujets s’attachent à lui. Le vers souligne que la disposition intérieure et la bonté du regard, plus que les paroles sonores ou l’apparat, attirent naturellement la confiance et la loyauté : une leçon de conduite pour le chef et d’harmonie sociale.

Word by Word

ऋणजुa debtor (one in debt)

पश्यतिsees

यःwho

सर्वम्everything

चक्षुषाwith (his) eye

अनुपिबन्as if drinking in / imbibing

इवas if, like

आसीनम्sitting

अपिeven, although

तुbut, however

तूष्णीकम्silent, quietly

अनुरज्यन्तिbecome attached to / are devoted to

तम्him

प्रजाःthe people, subjects

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vidura

prajāḥ (subjects/people)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler or leader gains genuine loyalty not merely through speeches or force, but through a benevolent, attentive regard for all. When people feel truly seen and cared for, they naturally become devoted—even if the leader is outwardly quiet.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he describes qualities that attract the goodwill of the subjects. Here he emphasizes the magnetic power of compassionate perception and restrained demeanor as marks of effective, dharmic leadership.