Shloka 24
Saṃsāra-mārga-vistaraḥ
Vidura’s Expanded Account of the Path
शीलरश्मिसमायुक्त: स्थितो यो मानसे रथे । त्यक्त्वा मृत्युभयं राजन् ब्रह्मलोक॑ स गच्छति,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
śīlaraśmisamāyuktaḥ sthito yo mānase rathe | tyaktvā mṛtyubhayaṁ rājan brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati ||
Vidura says: O King, the person who stands firm upon the chariot of the mind, harnessed with the reins of good conduct, and who—holding that discipline—drives the three steeds of self-control, renunciation, and vigilant heedfulness, casts off the fear of death and attains the world of Brahman. Therefore one should cultivate character while maintaining friendliness toward all beings.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral character (śīla) is the governing rein of life; when the mind is guided by śīla and powered by self-control (dama), renunciation (tyāga), and vigilant heedfulness (apramāda), one transcends fear of death and moves toward the highest spiritual goal (brahmaloka).
In Strī Parva, amid grief and moral reckoning after the war, Vidura instructs the king with a vivid metaphor: the mind is a chariot, virtues are its reins and horses, and disciplined inner governance leads beyond mortal fear to spiritual attainment.