He that knoweth
that there are sharp weapons capable of cutting the body though not made
of steel, and understandeth also the means of warding them off, can never
be injured by foes. He liveth who protecteth himself by the knowledge that
neither the consumer of straw and wood nor the drier of the dew burneth
the inmates of a hole in the deep woods. The blind man seeth not his way:
the blind man hath no knowledge of direction. He that hath no firmness
never acquireth prosperity. Remembering this, be upon your guard. The man
who taketh a weapon not made of steel (i.e., an inflammable abode) given
him by his foes, can escape from fire by making his abode like unto that
of a jackal (having many outlets). By wandering a man may acquire the
knowledge of ways, and by the stars he can ascertain the direction, and he
that keepeth his five (senses) under control can never be oppressed by his
enemies.'
"Thus addressed, Pandu's son, Yudhishthira the just replied unto Vidura,
that foremost of all learned men, saying, 'I have understood thee.' Then
Vidura, having instructed the Pandavas and followed them (thus far),
walked around them and bidding them farewell returned to his own abode.
When the citizens and Bhishma and Vidura had all ceased following, Kunti
approached Yudhishthira and said, 'The words that Kshattri said unto thee
in the midst of many people so indistinctly as if he did not say anything,
and thy reply also to him in similar words and voice, we have not
understood.
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