Shloka 3
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 40 — Vidura’s Ethical Counsel and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fatalistic Turn
स ते गुहान् प्रकाशांश्व सर्वान् हृदयसंश्रयान् । प्रवक्ष्यति महाराज सर्वबुद्धिमतां वर:
sa te guhān prakāśāṁś ca sarvān hṛdaya-saṁśrayān | pravakṣyati mahārāja sarva-buddhimatāṁ varaḥ ||
“O Mahārāja, ang pinakadakila sa mga marurunong ang magpapaliwanag sa iyo ng lahat—maging ang nakatago at ang lantad—na nananahan sa iyong puso.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should seek guidance from the truly wise, who can address not only stated questions but also the deeper, unspoken doubts within. Ethical governance requires honest self-examination and receptivity to discerning counsel.
Vidura addresses the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), assuring him that a foremost wise person will clarify all his concerns—both concealed and openly expressed—thereby preparing the king to understand and act amid the tense political situation preceding war.