Shloka 37
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
मर्द स्वप्नमविज्ञानमाकारं चात्मसम्भवम् | दुष्टामात्येषु विश्रम्भं दूताच्चाकुशलादपि
madya-svapnam avijñānam ākāraṁ cātma-sambhavam | duṣṭāmātyeṣu viśrambhaṁ dūtāc cākuśalād api ||
Vidura berkata: Orang bijak yang hendak menjaga hartanya harus menutup rapat enam gerbang tempat kebinasaan masuk: mabuk oleh zat memabukkan, tidur berlebihan, kekurangan pengetahuan yang wajib, perubahan raut mata dan wajah yang lahir dari diri sendiri, mempercayai menteri yang jahat, serta bersandar pada utusan yang tidak layak.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches that prosperity and security depend on disciplined self-control and prudent governance: avoid intoxicants and sloth, stay informed, restrain revealing mannerisms, and do not place confidence in corrupt advisers or inept envoys—these are openings through which secrets leak and ruin enters.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Vidura instructs the ruler on practical rājadharma. Here he lists six vulnerabilities that undermine policy and wealth, emphasizing secrecy in counsel and careful selection of ministers and messengers.