उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय 33: धृतराष्ट्र-विदुर संवादः (विदुरनीतिः)
गौएँ गन्धसे, ब्राह्मणलोग वेदोंसे, राजा गुप्तचरोंसे और अन्य साधारण लोग आँखोंसे देखा करते हैं ।।
gāvo gandhasena brāhmaṇā vedaiḥ rājā guptacaraiḥ anye ca sāmānyā janā netraiḥ paśyanti || bhūyāṁsaṁ labhate kleśaṁ yā gaur bhavati durduhā | atha yā suduhā rājan naiva tāṁ vitudanty api ||
गायी गंधाने ओळखल्या जातात, ब्राह्मण वेदांनी, राजा गुप्तचरांनी, आणि सामान्य लोक डोळ्यांनी दिसण्याने. जी गाय कठीणपणे दूध देते ती फार क्लेश भोगते; पण जी सहज दूध देते तिला कोणीही त्रास देत नाही.
विदुर उवाच
Vidura teaches that conduct shapes consequences: resistance expressed as harshness invites force and suffering, while gentleness and readiness to cooperate reduce harm. He also highlights how different beings are recognized by their defining signs—learning, intelligence systems, or direct perception—urging a ruler to understand people through appropriate means.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers counsel in a tense pre-war setting. Using everyday analogies (cow, brahmin, king, common people), he advises the addressed king on prudent governance and on avoiding actions that provoke coercion and escalation.