One of the oft-repeated criticisms of Hindu thought is that it is too "other-worldly", too metaphysical, and too unconcerned with the mundane world of affairs

Vidura Neeti in the Mahabharata is a fine refutation of this criticism

But strangely it seems rather underrated

Vidura Neeti occupies eight full chapters in Udyoga Parva in the Mahabharata

While it is very widely known, it does not hog as much attention either among lay people or academics as the Bhagavad Gita or for that matter Brahma Sutras

Vidura Neeti is anything but other-worldly. It concerns itself with leadership, yes. But also quotidian ethics

So though it takes the form of a dialogue between DhrtarAshtra and Vidura, its relevance is not just for statesmen, but for anyone who is engaging in social interaction

Sure. The odd verse has not necessarily aged very well.

There are verses in Vidura Neeti which we moderns might find abhorrent.

But most of it is timeless

Vidura Niti is ensconced as a part of Udyoga Parva - the section that follows the return of Pandavas from exile. A section dedicated to the peace parleys and dialogues that ultimately fail to avert the war.

It starts with Vidura's characterization of a "Pandit"

Here's Vidura expounding on the characteristics of a learned man -

"One that is endowed with self-awareness, industry, a capacity to suffer, steadiness in virtue, and is not distracted by material gains is called a pandit"

Another verse that interestingly emphasizes both Dharma and Artha, and not merely the former.

"One who daily reflects upon both virtue (dharma) and success (artha), and forsakes the path of sensual indulgence is considered a pandit"

Here's more on what characterizes learned men.

"The learned men, deep in their wisdom, know their
limitations. They aspire to achieve what is possible within
their power and work for the same. No effort, however small, is below their dignity"

"The foremost attribute of a PanDita is that he -

Listens attentively
Grasps the essence of a subject in no time
Acts firmly in his discretion and not out of emotion.
He never utters an irrelevant word or tender an opinion about others unless so requested"

On the equanimity that is a must in a "pandit"

"He alone deserves to be called a Pandita who does
not feel over-elated when praised. Condemnation does not
depress him. His mind is un-agitated like a lake on the course of Ganga"

In the next chapter, here's Vidura emphasizing the need to pluck the low-hanging fruit !

"A wise man does not delay performing a task where
with little effort a significant result can be achieved. He
does not brook any hurdle in such activity"

Here's Vidura emphasizing the need to be malleable and flexible.

A verse that is not very politically correct and is liable to be offend.

"Rajan! A cow which does not easily yield her milk,
suffers discomfort. The one that allows itself to be milked
easily is not maltreated."

Here are some observations on how different sections of society nurse different expectations -

"Rajan! The rich in this world cannot even digest a
proper meal [because the tension in their life upsets their
digestion.] A poor man can digest even wood pieces"

"A lowly person is worried about unemployment.
A middle-class man fears death.
The highest fear dishonour more than any other thing"

A verse on how people invariably "return to their senses" when it is too late.

"While liquor certainly intoxicates and is undesirable, the desire to live a luxurious life intoxicates more. A person enamoured of an indulgent life does not return to his senses before his downfall"

On the "seven sources of prosperity"

The following seven virtues add to wealth:
1. Patience/Perseverance
2. Control of the mind
3. Control of the five senses
4. Purity in living and in thought
5. Kindness,
6. Polite speech
7. Being faithful to friends

"Lakshmi (prosperity) does not oblige those who are always grieving, are slothful, atheists, lazy, have succumbed to the sensory pleasures, and lack enthusiasm"

What follows is interesting. He emphasizes "moderation in virtue"

"Even Lakshmi is afraid to go near a man who is

Extremely superior
Unusually brave
A strict follower of rules
Arrogant about his wisdom.

Reminds me of Kipling's line
"Don't look too good, nor talk too wise"

"Lakshmi obliges neither the highly virtuous nor
those without any noble qualities whatsoever.

She is not enamoured of too many fine traits nor does she have an attachment for total idiots. Like a cow under heat, Lakshmi stays at a few places only"

Now he goes on to cite circumstances that he regards as "concerning"

The following are a matter for concern:
1. An uneducated person
2. A coitus that does not result in pregnancy
3. A hungry population
4. A nation without a king

Moderns may not be able to relate to 2. But

Here's an interesting reflection of how "impurity" is relative at the end of the day

"Silver is used to add impurity to gold. Tin is used to
modify silver. Tin is mixed with lead and lead is mixed with
any available impurity"

Here's a curious list :)

Shun the following as a sailor avoids a boat with a hole:
a Guru who is unable to communicate
a Hotri who cannot recite Mantras
a king unable to protect his subjects
a woman who talks bitter
a cowherd who does not want to step out to graze his flock

There are some verses that haven't aged well.

Like this one which brackets women rather oddly

"Do not place your trust in the following:
A woman
a cheat
a lazy person
a coward
a habitually angry man;
a man arrogant about his manliness
a thief
an ungrateful person
an atheist

Then Vidura has a couple of verses that critique lack of steadiness

"A fickle person, or one who does not look after the
elderly, or one whose thinking is never stable, can never
make permanent friends"

"An ignorant man,
a man who changes his mind all the time,
a man who is ensnared by his lustful senses,
cannot attain Artha [prosperity, riches].

He is like a Hamsa which hovers around a lake but never steps into it"

A couple of verses that are rather critical of "individualism" , which may not go well with everyone today

"Burning logs of wood emit smoke when kept separate
When these are brought together, a conflagration occurs Members of a clan suffer when disunited and prosper when united"

"A tree standing alone, though strong, widespread and
with deep roots, can be uprooted with all its branches by
a powerful windstorm in no time"

"However, when a number of trees stand together as a
group in a grove, they can withstand the fiercest of gales"

All of this discourse is not disconnected from the epic narrative

Vidura is beseeching Dhrtarashtra to favor Pandavas

"Along with your sons, you are like a creeper while the
Pandavas are like a giant shAlA tree. A creeper cannot
multiply without taking support of the tree"

What's fascinating about Vidura-Niti is that its ethical precepts transcend mere caste rules. There are other more celebrated Smriti texts where ethical advice largely centers around Varna

Vidura Niti acknowledges caste. But its advice transcends the social realities of its time

One is not sure about the time of Vidura Niti's composition.

Given that it is part of Mahabharata, perhaps it comfortably predates other celebrated similar works like Chanakya Niti.

Though one cannot discount the possibility it is a later interpolation in Udyoga Parva

What's undeniable that it is of considerable antiquity (likely at least 2000 yrs old)

A text that presents an interesting contrast to ethical cogitations in other parts of the classical world. E.g. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.

References used for the thread -

http://book.gitapress.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2001_Vidur-Niti-_english_corr-29.12.14.pdf

http://www.srimatham.com/uploads/5/5/4/9/5549439/vidura_niti.pdf