Shloka 23
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय 33: धृतराष्ट्र-विदुर संवादः (विदुरनीतिः)
ऋणजु पश्यति य: सर्व चक्षुषानुपिबन्निव | आसीनमपि तूष्णीकमनुरज्यन्ति तं प्रजा:
ṛṇaju paśyati yaḥ sarva cakṣuṣānupibann iva | āsīnam api tūṣṇīkam anurajyanti taṃ prajāḥ ||
Vidura berkata: Sesiapa yang memandang semua orang dengan pandangan yang lembut dan sudi—seolah-olah meneguk mereka dengan mata—akan meraih kasih rakyat; walau dia hanya duduk diam, rakyat tetap menaruh setia kepadanya. Rangkap ini menegaskan bahawa budi batin dan pandangan penuh ihsan, lebih daripada kata-kata lantang atau pertunjukan, secara alami menarik kepercayaan dan kesetiaan—suatu pengajaran tentang kepimpinan dan keharmonian masyarakat.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler or leader gains genuine loyalty not merely through speeches or force, but through a benevolent, attentive regard for all. When people feel truly seen and cared for, they naturally become devoted—even if the leader is outwardly quiet.
In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he describes qualities that attract the goodwill of the subjects. Here he emphasizes the magnetic power of compassionate perception and restrained demeanor as marks of effective, dharmic leadership.