Shloka 31
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
अष्टौ गुणा: पुरुषं दीपयन्ति प्रज्ञा च कौल्यं च श्रुतं दमश्न । पराक्रमश्चाबहुभाषिता च दानं यथाशक्ति कृतज्ञता च
aṣṭau guṇāḥ puruṣaṃ dīpayanti prajñā ca kaulyaṃ ca śrutaṃ damaś ca | parākramaś cābahubhāṣitā ca dānaṃ yathāśakti kṛtajñatā ca ||
Vidura mengajarkan: delapan kebajikan membuat seseorang bersinar—kecerdasan jernih, keluhuran budi dan perilaku, pengetahuan dari tradisi suci, pengendalian diri, keberanian, hemat bicara, kedermawanan menurut kemampuan, dan rasa tahu berterima kasih. Inilah perhiasan sejati manusia di tengah masyarakat dan di jalan dharma.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person’s true brilliance comes from cultivated virtues—wisdom, noble conduct, learning, self-control, courage, restrained speech, appropriate generosity, and gratitude—rather than from power or status alone.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva’s tense pre-war diplomacy, he lists the virtues that should guide leaders and individuals, implicitly critiquing reckless pride and urging dharmic character as the basis of policy and conduct.