Shloka 57
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
स्त्रीषु राजसु सर्पेषु स्वाध्यायप्रभुशत्रुषु । भोगेष्वायुषि विश्वासं कः प्राज्ञ: कर्तुमहति,ऐसा कौन बुद्धिमान होगा, जो स्त्री, राजा, साँप, पड़े हुए पाठ, सामर्थ्यशाली व्यक्ति, शत्रु, भोग और आयुपर पूर्ण विश्वास कर सकता है?
strīṣu rājasu sarpeṣu svādhyāya-prabhu-śatruṣu | bhogeṣv āyuṣi viśvāsaṃ kaḥ prājñaḥ kartum arhati ||
स्त्रीषु राजसु सर्पेषु स्वाध्यायप्रभुशत्रुषु । भोगेष्वायुषि विश्वासं कः प्राज्ञः कर्तुमर्हति ॥
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not give absolute trust to volatile powers and unstable conditions—political authority, enemies, sensuality, and even life itself. Wisdom lies in alertness, restraint, and calibrated reliance rather than blind confidence.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura counsels the Kuru court with nīti (practical ethics) as tensions move toward war. This verse is part of his admonitions, urging sober judgment and caution amid intrigue, power, and uncertainty.