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Shloka 37

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

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38

मर्द स्वप्नमविज्ञानमाकारं चात्मसम्भवम्‌ | दुष्टामात्येषु विश्रम्भं दूताच्चाकुशलादपि

madya-svapnam avijñānam ākāraṁ cātma-sambhavam | duṣṭāmātyeṣu viśrambhaṁ dūtāc cākuśalād api ||

Sabi ni Vidura: Ang marunong na nagnanais ingatan ang kanyang yaman ay dapat isarang mahigpit ang anim na tarangkahang pinapasukan ng kapahamakan: paglalasing, labis na pagtulog, kawalan ng kaalaman sa dapat malaman, mga sariling pagbaluktot sa anyong panlabas (gaya ng di-mapigil na tingin at anyo ng mukha), pagtitiwala sa masasamang ministro, at pag-asa kahit sa sugo na walang kakayahan. Sa payuhan at pamamahala, ang mga siwang na ito ang nagbubukas sa paglabag sa lihim at sa pagbagsak ng mga layon.

मदintoxication
मद:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमद
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
स्वप्नम्sleep
स्वप्नम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootस्वप्न
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
अविज्ञानम्ignorance/lack of knowledge
अविज्ञानम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअविज्ञान
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
आकारम्appearance/gesture
आकारम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootआकार
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
आत्मसम्भवम्arising from oneself (self-caused)
आत्मसम्भवम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootआत्मसम्भव
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
दुष्टामात्येषुamong wicked ministers
दुष्टामात्येषु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootदुष्टामात्य
FormMasculine, Locative, Plural
विश्रम्भम्trust/confidence
विश्रम्भम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootविश्रम्भ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
दूतात्from/with regard to a messenger
दूतात्:
Apadana
TypeNoun
Rootदूत
FormMasculine, Ablative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
अकुशलात्from an unskilled (one)
अकुशलात्:
Apadana
TypeAdjective
Rootअकुशल
FormMasculine, Ablative, Singular
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि

विदुर उवाच

V
Vidura
M
ministers (amātya)
E
envoy/messenger (dūta)

Educational Q&A

Vidura teaches that prosperity and security depend on disciplined self-control and prudent governance: avoid intoxicants and sloth, stay informed, restrain revealing mannerisms, and do not place confidence in corrupt advisers or inept envoys—these are openings through which secrets leak and ruin enters.

In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Vidura instructs the ruler on practical rājadharma. Here he lists six vulnerabilities that undermine policy and wealth, emphasizing secrecy in counsel and careful selection of ministers and messengers.