Shloka 3
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 40 — Vidura’s Ethical Counsel and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fatalistic Turn
स ते गुहान् प्रकाशांश्व सर्वान् हृदयसंश्रयान् । प्रवक्ष्यति महाराज सर्वबुद्धिमतां वर:
sa te guhān prakāśāṁś ca sarvān hṛdaya-saṁśrayān | pravakṣyati mahārāja sarva-buddhimatāṁ varaḥ ||
Wahai Maharaja, yang terbaik di antara para bijaksana itu akan menjelaskan kepadamu segala perkara—yang tersembunyi maupun yang tampak—yang bersemayam di dalam hatimu, dan menyingkapkan semuanya dengan nasihat yang jernih.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should seek guidance from the truly wise, who can address not only stated questions but also the deeper, unspoken doubts within. Ethical governance requires honest self-examination and receptivity to discerning counsel.
Vidura addresses the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), assuring him that a foremost wise person will clarify all his concerns—both concealed and openly expressed—thereby preparing the king to understand and act amid the tense political situation preceding war.