Shloka 43
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
विनयभाव अपयशका नाश करता है, पराक्रम अनर्थको दूर करता है, क्षमा सदा ही क्रोधका नाश करती है और सदाचार कुलक्षणका अन्त करता है ।।
vinayabhāva apayaśakā nāśa kartā hai, parākrama anarthako dūra kartā hai, kṣamā sadā hī krodhakā nāśa kartī hai aura sadācāra kula-kṣaṇakā anta kartā hai. || paricchadena kṣetreṇa veśmanā paricaryayā | parīkṣeta kulaṁ rājan bhojanācchādanena ca ||
Itinuro pa ni Vidura: Ang pagpapakumbaba ay pumupuksa sa kahihiyan; ang kagitingan ay nagtataboy ng kapahamakan; ang pagpapatawad ay laging pumapatay sa galit; at ang mabuting asal ay nagwawakas sa masasamang tanda ng angkan. Pagkaraan ay pinayuhan niya ang hari: “Mahal na Hari, subukin ang tunay na uri ng isang pamilya hindi sa mga pahayag, kundi sa mga palatandaang nakikita—sa kanilang mga kagamitan at kasangkapan, sa lupain, sa bahay, sa paraan ng paglilingkod at pag-aasikaso, at pati sa pagkain at pananamit.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura links inner virtues to social outcomes: humility prevents dishonor, valor removes dangers, forgiveness ends anger, and sustained good conduct corrects a family’s blemishes. He also teaches practical discernment—judge a household’s true standing by observable conduct and stewardship (home, land, service, food, clothing), not by mere reputation.
In Vidura’s counsel to the king during the tense pre-war diplomacy of the Udyoga Parva, he offers ethical instruction and statecraft: cultivating virtues for stability, and advising how a ruler should assess families/lineages through concrete indicators of order, hospitality, and disciplined living.