Shloka 16

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

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38

Devanagari script

तादृशै: संगतं नीचै्नशंसैरकृतात्मभि:

Transliteration

tādṛśaiḥ saṅgataṃ nīcaiḥ naśaṃsair akṛtātmabhiḥ

Translation

Nagbabala si Vidura na ang pakikisama sa gayong hamak na tao—malupit, walang hiya, at walang pagpipigil sa sarili—ay tiyak na magpapasama sa asal at paghatol, hihila sa tao palayo sa dharma at magtutulak sa landas ng kahihiyan.

Word by Word

• तादृशैः: with such (persons)
• तादृशैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तादृश
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• संगतम्: association/companionship (having associated)
• संगतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संगत
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• नीचैः: with low/base (people)
• नीचैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नीच
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• नृशंसैः: with cruel/merciless (people)
• नृशंसैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नृशंस
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अकृतात्मभिः: with undisciplined/uncontrolled (persons)
• अकृतात्मभिः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकृतात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vidura

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

One’s moral life is shaped by one’s companions: association with ignoble, cruel, and undisciplined people erodes discernment and leads away from dharma; therefore, choose company that supports self-control and right conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura is delivering ethical counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations, warning against the influence of corrupt associates and urging a return to principled judgment.