novelraw Arc 2 - Vidhura Neeti Parva Chapter 3 - Vidhur On Personal Qualities
Arc 2 - Vidhura Neeti Parva Chapter 3 - Vidhur On Personal Qualities
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then Vidura, master of the inner way, spoke again—of the city of the body, the gates of error, and the royal path of restraint. Hear, O King.
A house of nine well-guarded doors,
Three pillars firm, five witnesses;
The Soul presides, the silent source—
Who knows this truth is truly wise.
The “house” is the body with nine doors (the sense-gates); the three pillars are body, life-breath, and mind; the five witnesses are the senses. The governing lord is the Self. Wisdom begins with inward governance.
Drunk, heedless, raving, spent with toil,
In wrath, or starved, or rash in haste;
Avaricious, cowed by fear,
Or lewd—such men lack scent of dharma.
These ten cannot judge virtue; the wise avoid their company lest their stain breed folly.
Who bridleth lust and conquers ire,
Gives wealth where worth is truly seen;
Discerning, learned, swift to act—
Such a king is law to men.
Kingship stands on self-restraint, right generosity, discrimination, learning, and timely action.
Who wins men’s trust, and weighs out guilt,
Corrects with measure, spares with grace—
On such a brow prosperity
Sets down her wreath and takes her place.
Punishment measured and mercy timely are twin scales of statecraft.
Fear not the weak—yet mark him well;
Seek not to clash with those more strong;
Watch, wait, and strike in season due—
The wise make prowess serve the time.
Vigilance with the small, avoidance of needless wars, and timely valor win durable safety.
He mourns not long when sorrow falls,
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Gathers his senses, labors on;
Bears season’s cold with patient will—
Such a one makes foemen yield.
Fortitude—swift composure and steady work—turns misfortune into mastery.
He will not live on idle hope,
Nor traffic with the sinful crowd;
He wrongs not wives, nor lifts in pride,
Nor steals, nor drinks—his days are bright.
Avoid vain hope, wicked friends, adultery, arrogance, theft, and drink—peace follows.
He vaunts not after human aims,
Speaks truth when queried, shuns the brawl;
Slighted, he will not kindle wrath—
Such a one the wise call “calm.”
Unboastful pursuit, truthful reply, no partisan quarrel, anger mastered—these are lamps of prudence.
Kind unto all, not keen to strive,
Nor proud of tongue, nor nursing feud;
He lets old quarrels fade like smoke—
Praise follows such a man.
Gentleness and forgetting old enmities ease the road of life and crown one with goodwill.
He struts not high, nor scolds to shine,
Nor lifts himself by others’ blame;
His speech is clean of barbed reproof—
Such men are dear in every home.
No haughty mien, no self-praise by slander, no harsh words—and affection gathers round him.
He digs not up forgotten hates,
Nor crawls nor crows in excess show;
Distressed, he will not stoop to wrong—
The worthy count him well-conducted.
Balance—neither arrogance nor abjectness—and rectitude even in distress mark noble conduct.
He joys not loud in private bliss,
Nor smiles to see another pained;
Gifts given once he ne’er laments—
Such nature’s fragrance lingers long.
No gloating, no malice, no regret after giving—this is the sweetness of a settled heart.
Who seeks the tongues and customs wide,
Of lands and orders, high and low—
Wherever fate may set his stride,
Ascendant still his virtues grow.
The one who learns languages, manners, and orders gains instant footing in all assemblies.
Pride, folly, insolence, crooked ways,
Sin, treason to the rightful lord;
Quarrels with mobs, with drunk or mad—
The wise step back and sheathe the sword.
Drop vanity and treachery, avoid wrangling with the deranged or depraved; such friction only soils.
Daily restraint and cleansing rites,
Auspicious vows and god-ward flame;
Expiations due, observed aright—
The gods themselves bestow his gain.
Self-restraint with rightly performed rites invites divine prosperity.
Wed equals; set the abler first;
Speak, move, and befriend among thy peers;
Thus plans stand firm and acts run straight—
The learned call such prudence “clear.”
Marry and befriend in parity, honor the more qualified, and keep company well-matched.
He shares his meal ere he will eat,
Works long, then sleeps a little span;
Gives even to his enemies—
His mastered soul keeps grief afar.
Sharing, industry, short sleep, and magnanimity strengthen inner mastery and ward off calamity.
His counsel sealed, his deeds well-laid,
No hurt in secret to the land;
For smallest aims he makes a path—
And gains them with a steady hand.
Discreet planning and clean execution secure even modest objectives without collateral harm.
Harmless in will, in truth made mild,
In giving free, in motive clean—
He shines amidst his gathered kin,
A flawless gem of lucid sheen.
Ahiṁsā, truth, gentleness, charity, purity of mind—these make one the bright axis of a house.
He reddens though none know his fault,
His own heart’s witness is his judge;
Such inward blush wins outward awe—
Men honor him for virtue’s pledge.
True conscience self-corrects in private; that modesty commands public respect.
With heart made pure and ardor vast,
From outer noise withdrawn within;
He blazes by his energy—
Like daybreak rolling back the dim.
Inner focus and boundless energy make a man radiant as the sun.
“Five sons like Indra, forest-born—
Through curse on Pāṇḍu came to light;
Thou rearedst them and taught their lore—
Now give their rightful share and rest.”
Vidura ends with just counsel: return to the Pāṇḍavas their lawful share. Thus, O King, thou shalt win the trust of gods and men and set thy house in peace.