Shloka 4
Śānti-parva 168: Śoka-nivṛtti-buddhi (The Cognition that Reduces Grief) and Piṅgalā’s Nairāśya
ततोड<र्थगतितत्त्वज्ञ: प्रथमं प्रतिभानवान् | जगाद विदुरो वाक्य धर्मशास्त्रमनुस्मरन्,तब अर्थकी गति और तत्त्वको जाननेवाले प्रतिभाशाली विदुरजीने धर्मशास्त्रका स्मरण करके सबसे पहले कहना आरम्भ किया
tato 'rthagati-tattvajñaḥ prathamaṃ pratibhānavān | jagāda viduro vākyaṃ dharmaśāstram anusmaran ||
Então Vidura—perspicaz no discernimento dos verdadeiros princípios e do curso dos assuntos práticos, e dotado de visão interior—foi o primeiro a falar, trazendo à mente os ensinamentos dos Dharmaśāstras. A narrativa assinala que o que se segue é conselho alicerçado na lei ética e numa prudente arte de governar, e não em impulso ou interesse de facção.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sound counsel should arise from dharma-informed reflection: Vidura speaks as one who understands both moral truth (tattva) and the real-world course of policy and consequences (artha-gati), indicating that ethical law and practical prudence must be joined.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Vidura begins speaking first. The verse functions as a transition, introducing Vidura’s forthcoming discourse as grounded in remembered Dharmaśāstra principles and in clear understanding of political and ethical realities.