Shloka 29
खाण्डवप्रस्थप्रवेशः तथा इन्द्रप्रस्थनिर्माणवर्णनम् | Entry into Khāṇḍavaprastha and Description of Indraprastha’s Founding
सपत्नवृद्धिं यत् तात मन्यसे वृद्धिमात्मन: । अभिष्टौषि च यत् क्षत्तु: समीपे द्विषतां वर,“महाराज! विदुरके समीप हम आपसे आपका कोई दोष नहीं बता सकते। इस समय एकान्त है, इसलिये कहते हैं। आप यह क्या करना चाहते हैं? पूज्य पिताजी! आप तो शत्रुओंकी उन्नतिको ही अपनी उन्नति मानने लगे हैं और विदुरजीके निकट हमारे वैरियोंकी ही भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा करते हैं
sapatnavṛddhiṁ yat tāta manyase vṛddhim ātmanaḥ | abhiṣṭauṣi ca yat kṣattuḥ samīpe dviṣatāṁ vara ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Father, you have begun to regard the prosperity of your rivals as your own prosperity; and, in the presence of Vidura, you even lavish praise upon the foremost among those who bear enmity toward us. In Vidura’s proximity we cannot openly point out your fault; but now, in private, we ask—what is it that you intend to do?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical warning in governance and family politics: treating an adversary’s rise as one’s own and publicly praising hostile forces can signal compromised judgment. It also underscores prudent speech—some truths are withheld in public out of respect for wise elders (Vidura) and spoken privately to avoid disorder.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) confronts an elder addressed as “father,” questioning his intentions. The elder is accused of applauding the enemies’ success and praising them in Vidura’s presence; therefore the speaker chooses a private moment to challenge him directly.