Shloka 21
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
यथाशक्ति चिकीर्षन्ति यथाशक्ति च कुर्वते । न किंचिदवमन्यन्ते नरा: पण्डितबुद्धय:
yathāśakti cikīrṣanti yathāśakti ca kurvate | na kiñcid avamanyante narāḥ paṇḍitabuddhayaḥ ||
ヴィドゥラは言った。「識別の知を備えた賢者は、まず己の力に応じて為すべきことを志し、次いで同じ力に応じてそれを成し遂げる。何ものをも侮らない。」
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True wisdom is to plan and act in proportion to one’s real capacity (yathāśakti) and to avoid contempt. Ethical action requires humility and accurate self-assessment rather than pride or unrealistic ambition.
In Vidura’s counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he articulates principles of prudent conduct—how the wise deliberate and act without arrogance—aimed at guiding rulers toward responsible, non-contemptuous decision-making.