Shloka 26
खाण्डवप्रस्थप्रवेशः तथा इन्द्रप्रस्थनिर्माणवर्णनम् | Entry into Khāṇḍavaprastha and Description of Indraprastha’s Founding
वैशम्पायन उवाच त॑ तथा भाषमाणं तु विदुर: प्रत्यभाषत । नित्यं भवतु ते बुद्धिरेषा राजज्छतं समा: । इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ राजन् विदुर: स्वं निवेशनम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! ऐसी बातें कहनेवाले राजा धृतराष्ट्रसे विदुर (इस प्रकार) बोले--“महाराज! सौ वर्षोतक आपकी बुद्धि ऐसी ही बनी रहे।” राजन्! इतना कहकर विदुरजी अपने घर चले गये
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: taṁ tathā bhāṣamāṇaṁ tu viduraḥ pratyabhāṣata | nityaṁ bhavatu te buddhir eṣā rājac chataṁ samāḥ | ity uktvā prayayau rājan viduraḥ svaṁ niveśanam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Vidura replied to the king who was speaking in that manner: “O King, may this very understanding of yours remain constant for a hundred years.” Having said this, O King, Vidura departed for his own residence. The line carries a pointed ethical irony: Vidura’s words outwardly sound like a blessing, yet they also underscore that a ruler’s fixed mindset—if misguided—can become a long-lasting cause of harm.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s buddhi (judgment) must be examined and corrected when necessary; persistence in a fixed viewpoint can be dangerous. Vidura’s ‘blessing’ highlights that enduring certainty is not a virtue if the underlying judgment is flawed—ethical governance requires openness to dharma-guided counsel.
Vaiśampāyana narrates to Janamejaya that Vidura responds to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who has been speaking in a particular way. Vidura says, ‘May this understanding of yours remain for a hundred years,’ and then leaves for his home—ending the exchange with a pointed, restrained remark.