Shloka 54
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 34 — Vidura’s Counsel on Deliberation, Speech-Discipline, and Dharmic Kingship
अष्टी नृपेमानि मनुष्यलोके स्वर्गस्थ लोकस्य निदर्शनानि । चत्वार्येषामन्ववेतानि सद्धि- श्वृत्वारि चैषामनुयान्ति सन््तः
aṣṭī nṛpemāni manuṣyaloke svargastha lokasya nidarśanāni | catvāry eṣām anvavetāni saddhiḥ śrutvāri caiṣām anuyānti santaḥ, rājan |
Vidura berkata: “Wahai Raja, di dunia manusia ada delapan sifat yang menjadi tanda jelas yang menunjuk pada keadaan surgawi. Dari delapan itu, empat melekat tak terpisahkan pada pergaulan orang-orang baik—senantiasa tinggal dalam diri mereka—dan empat lainnya adalah sifat yang diikuti serta dilatih dengan sadar oleh insan berbudi.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches that certain virtues in human life function as markers of a higher, heaven-aligned way of living. Some virtues naturally abide in the truly good, while others must be deliberately pursued—together forming a practical map for ethical conduct.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura counsels the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) with moral instruction as war approaches. Here he introduces a framework of eight virtues connected with the good and with the pursuit of righteousness, preparing the listener for more detailed ethical guidance.