उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५ (कृष्णनीति: न्यायशम-उपदेशः; विराट-द्रुपदयोः सैन्यसमाह्वानम्)
एतच्च पूर्व कार्य न: सुनीतमभिकाड्क्षताम् । अन्यथा हाचरन् कर्म पुरुष: स्यात् सुबालिश:,हमलोग सुनीतिकी इच्छा रखनेवाले हैं; अतः हमें सबसे पहले यही कार्य करना चाहिये। जो अवसरके विपरीत आचरण करता है, वह मनुष्य अत्यन्त मूर्ख माना जाता है
etac ca pūrvaṃ kārya naḥ sunītam abhikāṅkṣatām | anyathā hy ācaran karma puruṣaḥ syāt subāliśaḥ ||
对我们这些真切追求善政与正行之人而言,此事当先行办理。凡违逆时机与情势而行者,必被视为极其愚昧。
वायुदेव उवाच
One should prioritize the action that accords with sunīti (wise policy and right conduct). Acting against the demands of time, place, and circumstance is a mark of folly.
Vāyudeva is giving counsel, emphasizing that those seeking good governance and proper conduct must first undertake the appropriate preliminary step; ignoring situational propriety leads to blameworthy, foolish action.