Shloka 44
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
उपस्थितस्य कामस्य प्रतिवादो न विद्यते । अपि निर्मुक्तदेहस्य कामरक्तस्य कि पुन:,देहाभिमानसे रहित पुरुषके पास भी यदि न्याय-युक्त पदार्थ स्वतः उपस्थित हो तो वह उसका विरोध नहीं करता, फिर कामासक्त मनुष्यके लिये तो कहना ही क्या है?
upasthitasya kāmasya prativādo na vidyate | api nirmuktadehasya kāmaraktasya ki punaḥ ||
Vidura berkata: Apabila sesuatu yang diingini sudah pun hadir di hadapan, jarang sekali ada penolakan. Jika orang yang telah bebas daripada keakuan pada tubuh pun tidak menentang apa yang datang dengan sendirinya, apatah lagi orang yang fikirannya menyala oleh nafsu dan keterikatan.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura highlights the psychological force of desire: when a tempting object is already at hand, refusal is uncommon. Therefore, one should not trust mere intention; ethical strength requires prior discipline, vigilance, and restraint before desire becomes imminent.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers moral counsel (nīti) during the tense lead-up to war. Here he warns that attachment and craving overpower judgment, implying that leaders driven by desire will not resist unjust gains once they appear attainable.