Shloka 23
Saṃsāra-mārga-vistaraḥ
Vidura’s Expanded Account of the Path
तस्मान्मैत्रं समास्थाय शीलमापद्य भारत | दमस्त्यागो<प्रमादश्न ते त्रयो ब्रह्मणो हया:,भरतनन्दन! इसलिये सर्वत्र मैत्रीभाव रखते हुए शील प्राप्त करना चाहिये। दम, त्याग और अप्रमाद--ये तीन परमात्माके धाममें ले जानेवाले घोड़े हैं। जो मनुष्य शीलरूपी लगामको पकड़कर इन तीनों घोड़ोंसे जुते हुए मनरूपी रथपर सवार होता है, वह मृत्युका भय छोड़कर ब्रह्मलोकमें चला जाता है
tasmān maitraṁ samāsthāya śīlam āpadya bhārata | damas tyāgo 'pramādaś ca te trayo brahmaṇo hayāḥ ||
Therefore, O Bhārata, taking your stand in friendliness toward all, you should cultivate noble conduct. Self-restraint, renunciation, and vigilant heedfulness—these three are the steeds that carry one toward Brahman. The person who, holding the reins of good character, mounts the chariot of the mind yoked to these three horses, casts off the fear of death and proceeds to the world of Brahman.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches that spiritual progress depends on cultivating universal friendliness (maitrī) and firm moral character (śīla). With śīla as the guiding rein, one should harness the mind through three key virtues—self-restraint (dama), renunciation (tyāga), and vigilant non-negligence (apramāda)—which together carry a person beyond fear of death toward Brahman.
In the Strī Parva’s aftermath of the war, Vidura addresses the Kuru elder (Bhārata) with counsel meant to steady the mind amid grief and moral collapse. He frames ethical discipline as a practical inner vehicle: the mind is a chariot, virtues are horses, and good conduct is the rein that directs one toward the highest goal (Brahmaloka).