Shloka 6
अध्याय ३९: विदुरेण धृतराष्ट्राय नीत्युपदेशः
Timely Counsel, Association, and Kin-Duty
सुखार्थिन: कुतो विद्या नास्ति विद्यार्थिन: सुखम् । सुखार्थी वा त्यजेद् विद्यां विद्यार्थी वा त्यजेत्ू सुखम्
sukhārthinaḥ kuto vidyā nāsti vidyārthinaḥ sukham | sukhārthī vā tyajed vidyāṃ vidyārthī vā tyajet sukham ||
Vidura berkata: “Bagaimana mungkin orang yang mengejar kesenangan dan keselesaan memperoleh ilmu yang sejati? Bagi pencari ilmu, keselesaan tidaklah ada. Maka, sama ada pencari kesenangan harus meninggalkan ilmu, atau pencari ilmu harus meninggalkan kesenangan.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches that serious learning demands sacrifice: the pursuit of comfort and the pursuit of knowledge pull in opposite directions. One must choose disciplined effort over ease to attain vidyā.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled setting, Vidura offers nīti (practical-ethical instruction) to guide conduct. This verse frames a moral choice relevant to leadership and personal formation: whether to prioritize immediate comfort or the demanding path of wisdom.