Shloka 11
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वंशोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Dynastic Counsel on Legitimate Rule
सिंहासनस्थो नृपतिर्धुतराष्ट्री महाबल: । अन्वास्यमान: सततं विदुरेण महात्मना
siṁhāsanastho nṛpatir dhṛtarāṣṭrī mahābalaḥ | anvāsyamānaḥ satataṁ vidureṇa mahātmanā ||
Vāyu berkata: Raja Dhṛtarāṣṭra yang perkasa bersemayam di atas singgahsana; dan Vidura yang berhati luhur sentiasa berada dekat, melayani baginda—laksana jelmaan nasihat dharma yang berdiri di sisi kuasa pada saat genting yang sarat akibat politik dan moral.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power (the king on the throne) is ethically incomplete without constant proximity to dharmic counsel (Vidura). The verse highlights the ideal that rulers should remain continually guided by wise, morally grounded advisors—especially when decisions can lead to widespread harm.
The scene is set in the Kuru court: Dhṛtarāṣṭra is enthroned, while Vidura stays near him in continual attendance. This frames the ensuing counsel and deliberations of the Udyoga Parva, where diplomacy, warnings, and moral arguments attempt to avert the coming war.