Shloka 17
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
त्यजेत् कुलार्थे पुरुष ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत् ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थ आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत्
tyajet kulārthe puruṣaḥ grāmasyārthe kulaṃ tyajet | grāmaṃ janapadasyārtha ātmārthe pṛthivīṃ tyajet ||
为家族之利，当舍一人；为一村之利，当舍一家；为一国之利，当舍一村；而为自身最高之善，甚至当能舍弃整个大地。
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches a hierarchy of values: one may relinquish a smaller unit to protect a larger common good (individual → family → village → country), but above all, one should prioritize ātmārtha—one’s highest inner welfare—over worldly power and possessions, even ‘the earth’ itself.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers counsel grounded in dharma and practical statecraft. This verse is part of his ethical instruction, urging clear prioritization and readiness to sacrifice lesser attachments for greater welfare, while affirming that spiritual and moral self-interest ultimately outweighs political dominion.