Shloka 79
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय 33: धृतराष्ट्र-विदुर संवादः (विदुरनीतिः)
कर्णिनालीकनाराचान् निर्हरन्ति शरीरत: । वाक्शल्यस्तु न निर्हर्तु शक्यो हृदिशयो हि सः
karṇinālīkanārācān nirharanti śarīrataḥ | vākśalyas tu na nirhartu śakyo hṛdiśayo hi saḥ ||
Vidura berkata: Anak panah berduri dan lembing berhujung besi boleh dicabut dari tubuh; tetapi duri kata-kata kejam tidak dapat dicabut, kerana ia bersarang di hati. Ajarannya: luka oleh tutur kata lebih dalam dan lebih lama daripada luka jasmani; maka, menahan lidah ialah tuntutan utama dharma.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Physical injuries may heal when the weapon is removed, but harsh words become an inner ‘thorn’ that remains in the heart; therefore one should practice restraint, truthfulness, and gentleness in speech as part of dharma.
In the counsel of Vidura during the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, he warns that verbal cruelty causes lasting damage—often more enduring than bodily wounds—urging ethical conduct and measured speech amid conflict.