धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
क्षत्ता मन्त्री महाप्राज्ञः स्थितो यस्यास्मि शासने ॥
तेन संगम्य वेत्स्यामि कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चयम् ॥
स हि धर्मं पुरस्कृत्य दीर्घदर्शी परं हितम् ॥
उभयोः पक्षयोर् युक्तं वक्ष्यत्य् अर्थविनिश्चयम् ॥
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
kṣattā mantrī mahāprājñaḥ sthito yasyāsmi śāsane ||
tena saṃgamya vetsyāmi kāryasyāsya viniścayam ||
sa hi dharmaṃ puraskṛtya dīrghadarśī paraṃ hitam ||
ubhayoḥ pakṣayor yuktaṃ vakṣyaty arthaviniścayam ||
"Kshattri [Vidura], the great-wise counselor, in whose guidance I stand — meeting with him, I shall learn the determination of this matter. For he, placing dharma foremost, far-sighted, will declare the supreme good, fitting for both sides — the true resolution of the matter."
20a4fb64ebcd · published Jul 16, 2026, 3:49:22 PM UTC
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Dhritarashtra knows to whom to turn: Vidura, who "places dharma foremost," will speak the good "for both sides." It is telling that the king himself names the true measure of sound counsel — impartiality, concern for the good of all, not one side alone. The verse teaches what a counselor ought to be: far-sighted and unbiased, grounding himself in dharma rather than in flattery. But bitter is what follows: knowing whom to ask for the truth, Dhritarashtra will ask — and not heed it. To know where truth lies and not follow it is worse than not knowing at all; for the former is weakness of will, the latter mere ignorance. The king has himself named the remedy — and will himself reject it for his son's sake.