Shloka 44
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
उपस्थितस्य कामस्य प्रतिवादो न विद्यते । अपि निर्मुक्तदेहस्य कामरक्तस्य कि पुन:,देहाभिमानसे रहित पुरुषके पास भी यदि न्याय-युक्त पदार्थ स्वतः उपस्थित हो तो वह उसका विरोध नहीं करता, फिर कामासक्त मनुष्यके लिये तो कहना ही क्या है?
upasthitasya kāmasya prativādo na vidyate | api nirmuktadehasya kāmaraktasya ki punaḥ ||
ಕಾಮ್ಯವಸ್ತು ಸ್ವತಃ ಎದುರಿಗೆ ಬಂದಾಗ ಅದರ ಪ್ರತಿರೋಧ ವಿರಳ. ದೇಹಾಭಿಮಾನದಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತನಾದವನು ಕೂಡ ಸ್ವಯಂ ಬಂದದ್ದನ್ನು ತಿರಸ್ಕರಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ—ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ಕಾಮರಕ್ತನಾದ ಮನುಷ್ಯನ ವಿಷಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನು ಹೇಳಬೇಕು?
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura highlights the psychological force of desire: when a tempting object is already at hand, refusal is uncommon. Therefore, one should not trust mere intention; ethical strength requires prior discipline, vigilance, and restraint before desire becomes imminent.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers moral counsel (nīti) during the tense lead-up to war. Here he warns that attachment and craving overpower judgment, implying that leaders driven by desire will not resist unjust gains once they appear attainable.