Shloka 23

Kāmyaka-vane Pāṇḍava-nivāsaḥ — Vidurasya āgamanam ca (कamyake वने पाण्डवनिवासः—विदुरस्य आगमनं च)

Devanagari script

भवन्ति हि नरव्याप्र पुरुषा धर्मचेतस: । दीनाभिपातिनो राजन्‌ नात्र कार्या विचारणा,विदुरने कहा--राजन्‌! मैंने तो सब क्षमा कर ही दिया है। आप मेरे परम गुरु हैं। मैं शीघ्रतापूर्वक आपके दर्शनके लिये आया हूँ। नरश्रेष्ठ! धर्मात्मा पुरुष दीन जनोंकी ओर अधिक झुकते हैं। आपको इसके लिये मनमें विचार नहीं करना चाहिये

Transliteration

bhavanti hi naravyāprā puruṣā dharmacetasāḥ | dīnābhipātino rājan nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||

Translation

For men who are earnest in human duty and whose minds are set on dharma naturally incline toward the distressed. Therefore, O King, there is no need for deliberation or doubt in this matter—showing favor to the afflicted is itself the right course.

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'bhavanti', 'definition': 'they are / they become'}, {'term': 'hi', 'definition': 'indeed, for'}, {'term': 'naravyāprāḥ', 'definition': 'engaged in human affairs

• active in the duties of men (i.e., practical, responsible persons)'}, {'term': 'puruṣāḥ', 'definition': 'men, persons'}, {'term': 'dharma-cetasāḥ', 'definition': 'those whose consciousness/mind is oriented to dharma

• righteous-minded'}, {'term': 'dīna', 'definition': 'poor, helpless, afflicted'}, {'term': 'abhipātinaḥ', 'definition': 'those who turn toward, lean toward, come to the aid of'}, {'term': 'rājan', 'definition': 'O king (vocative)'}, {'term': 'na atra', 'definition': 'not here

• in this matter, not (necessary)'}, {'term': 'kāryā', 'definition': 'to be done

• necessary'}, {'term': 'vicāraṇā', 'definition': 'consideration, deliberation, hesitation'}]

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• King (rājan)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A dharma-minded person naturally supports and protects the distressed; compassion toward the helpless is not optional but a direct expression of righteousness, so one should not hesitate or over-deliberate when aid is needed.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vidura addresses a king and justifies siding with or assisting the afflicted, presenting it as the instinctive and proper conduct of righteous people and urging the king not to doubt this ethical priority.