Shloka 2
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
विदुर उवाच अप्राप्तकालं वचन बृहस्पतिरपि ब्रुवन् । लभते बुद्धयवज्ञानमवमानं च भारत,विदुरजी बोले--भारत! समयके विपरीत यदि बृहस्पति भी कुछ बोलें तो उनका अपमान ही होगा और उनकी बुद्धिकी भी अवज्ञा ही होगी
vidura uvāca aprāptakālaṃ vacanaṃ bṛhaspatir api bruvan | labhate buddhāv ajñānam avamānaṃ ca bhārata ||
ヴィドゥラは言った。「おおバーラタよ、時を得ぬ言葉は、たとえブリハスパティが語ろうとも、その忠告は顧みられず、かえって侮辱を受ける。時機の力とはかくも大きい。ふさわしい機会なく差し出された智慧は愚かさと見なされ、軽蔑を招くのだ。」
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the wisest counsel fails if delivered at the wrong time; timing (kāla) governs receptivity. Untimely speech is not merely ignored—it can be mistaken for ignorance and provoke insult.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura is offering political-ethical counsel in a tense pre-war setting. He warns that when the listener is not ready or the moment is unsuitable, even authoritative guidance (symbolized by Bṛhaspati) will be rejected and dishonored.