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

Vidura cảnh báo rằng kết giao với hạng người hèn hạ như thế—tàn nhẫn, trơ trẽn, và không tự chế—ắt làm bại hoại hạnh kiểm và sự phán đoán, kéo con người rời xa dharma và sa vào nẻo nhục nhã.

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.