Shloka 28
हंस–साध्यसंवादः, वाक्-निग्रहः, महाकुल-लक्षणम्, शान्ति-उपायः
Hamsa–Sādhya Dialogue; Restraint of Speech; Marks of Noble Lineage; Means to Peace
अहंकाररहित, कायरताशून्य, शीघ्र काम पूरा करनेवाला, दयालु, शुद्धहृदय, दूसरोंके बहकावेमें न आनेवाला, नीरोग और उदार वचनवाला--इन आठ गुणोंसे युक्त मनुष्यको “दूत” बनानेयोग्य बताया गया है ।।
ahaṅkāra-rahitaḥ, kāyaratā-śūnyaḥ, śīghraṁ kāryaṁ pūrayitā, dayāluḥ, śuddha-hṛdayaḥ, anyeṣāṁ bahakāve na āgacchan (ananuvartanīyaḥ), nīrogaḥ, udāra-vacanavān—ebhir aṣṭabhir guṇaiḥ yukto manuṣyo “dūtaḥ” kartum yogya iti kathitaḥ. na viśvāsāj jātu parasya gehe gacchen naraḥ śetayāno vikāle; na catvare niśi tiṣṭhen nigūḍhaḥ; na rāja-kāmyāṁ yoṣitaṁ prārthayīta.
毗度罗说：堪当使者之人，当具八德——无傲慢、无怯懦、办事迅捷而能成、怀慈悲、心地清净、不为他人诱惑而迷失、体魄康健、言辞宽厚而得体。又即便信任他人，也不可在不合时宜之刻擅入他人之家；不可夜间潜伏于十字路口；亦不可觊觎国王所欲之女。此等戒律，能护使者之操守与安危，并保王命之尊严。
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura defines the ideal royal envoy: he must be virtuous (humble, brave, compassionate, pure, not easily manipulated, healthy, and eloquent) and must avoid suspicious or compromising behavior—untimely visits, secret nighttime loitering, and pursuing women connected to the king—so that the mission remains trustworthy and free from scandal.
In Udyoga Parva, as negotiations and preparations around the coming conflict intensify, Vidura offers counsel on political and ethical conduct. Here he outlines qualifications and prohibitions for a dūta, emphasizing both personal virtues and practical safeguards that preserve the credibility of royal communication.