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 ||
पंडितबुद्धी पुरुष आपल्या शक्तीनुसार करावयाची इच्छा करतात आणि त्याच शक्तीनुसार करतात; ते कोणत्याही गोष्टीला किंवा व्यक्तीला तुच्छ मानून अवमान करत नाहीत.
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.