Shloka 54

Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38

Devanagari script

आयत्यां प्रतिकारज्ञस्तदात्वे दृढनिश्चय: । अतीते कार्यशेषज्ञो नरो्र्थनन प्रहीयते,जो आनेवाले दुःखको रोकनेका उपाय जानता है, वर्तमानकालिक कर्तव्यके पालनमें दृढ़ निश्चय रखनेवाला है और अतीतकालमें जो कर्तव्य शेष रह गया है, उसे भी जानता है, वह मनुष्य कभी अर्थसे हीन नहीं होता

Transliteration

āyatyāṁ pratikārajñas tadātve dṛḍhaniścayaḥ | atīte kāryaśeṣajño naro 'rthena na prahīyate ||

Translation

భవిష్యత్తు దుఃఖాలను నివారించే ఉపాయాన్ని తెలిసినవాడు, వర్తమాన కర్తవ్యాన్ని నిర్వర్తించడంలో దృఢనిశ్చయుడై ఉండేవాడు, గతంలో మిగిలిపోయిన కర్తవ్యాన్ని కూడా తెలిసినవాడు—అటువంటి మనిషి ఎప్పుడూ సంపదా-సిద్ధి నుండి వంచితుడవడు.

Word by Word

आयत्याम्in the future

प्रतिकारज्ञःknowing the remedy/means of counteraction

तदात्वेat the present time

दृढनिश्चयःfirm in resolve

अतीतेin the past

कार्यशेषज्ञःknowing what remains to be done (unfinished duty)

नरःa man

अर्थात्from wealth/means; in respect of resources

नnot

प्रहीयतेis diminished; falls short; becomes deprived

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vidura

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Vidura teaches integrated practical wisdom: anticipate and prevent future harm, act decisively in the present, and clear past unfinished duties. Such balanced vigilance and responsibility sustains one’s artha (well-being and resources).

What is happening in the narrative?

In Vidura’s counsel during the Udyoga Parva, he offers Nīti-oriented guidance on governance and personal conduct, emphasizing foresight, timely action, and accountability as foundations for enduring prosperity.