Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
एवं मनुष्यमप्येकं॑ गुणैरपि समन्वितम् । शवयं द्विषन्तो मन्यन्ते वायुर्द्रममिवैकजम्,इसी प्रकार समस्त गुणोंसे सम्पन्न मनुष्यको भी अकेले होनेपर शत्रु अपनी शक्तिके अंदर समझते हैं, जैसे अकेले वृक्षको वायु
evaṁ manuṣyam apy ekaṁ guṇair api samanvitam | śatravaḥ dviṣantaḥ manyante vāyur dramam ivaikajam ||
Demikian pula, seorang manusia yang berhias kebajikan—bila ia sendirian—akan dianggap oleh musuh yang membencinya berada dalam genggaman mereka, sebagaimana angin menaklukkan pohon yang berdiri sendiri.
विदुर उवाच
Even virtue and capability may not protect someone who is isolated; hostility exploits solitude. The verse advises seeking support—friends, allies, and safeguards—so that one is not easily dominated by adversaries.
Vidura is giving counsel in the Udyoga Parva, using a vivid simile: just as wind can break or uproot a lone tree, enemies consider even a virtuous person vulnerable when he is without backing.