Shloka 59
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
सर्पश्चाग्निश्व सिंहश्व कुलपुत्रश्न भारत । नावज्ञेया मनुष्येण सर्वे होतेडतितेजस:
sarpaś cāgniś ca siṁhaś ca kulaputraś ca bhārata | nāvajñeyā manuṣyeṇa sarve hy ete 'titejasaḥ ||
हे भारत! मनुष्याने सर्प, अग्नी, सिंह आणि आपल्या कुलात जन्मलेला पुरुष—यांचा कधीही अवमान करू नये; कारण हे सर्व अतितेजस्वी असतात.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not show contempt toward beings or persons capable of great harm or influence—especially serpent, fire, lion, and even a member of one’s own lineage—because their power can quickly turn against the disrespectful.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura delivers moral-political counsel (nīti) to the Kuru side, warning against arrogance and reckless disrespect; this verse is a compact caution that power—natural or social—must be approached with restraint.