Shloka 70
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
चत्वारि ते तात गृहे वसन्तु श्रियाभिजुष्टस्य गृहस्थधर्मे । वृद्धो ज्ञातिरवसन्न: कुलीन: सदा दरिद्रो भगिनी चानपत्या
catvāri te tāta gṛhe vasantu śriyābhijuṣṭasya gṛhasthadharme | vṛddho jñātir avasannaḥ kulīnaḥ sadā daridro bhaginī cānapatyā ||
ونصح فيدورا قائلاً: «يا بُنيّ! في بيت الرجل الميسور الثابت على دَرمَة ربّ الأسرة، ينبغي أن يُؤوى دائمًا أربعةُ أصناف: قريبٌ مُسنّ، وذو حسبٍ كريم نزلت به الشدّة، وصديقٌ دائم الفقر، وأختٌ لا ولد لها.»
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A householder’s dharma is not merely personal piety or wealth-management; it is sustained care for those who have rightful claims through kinship, friendship, and vulnerability—especially the aged, the distressed, the poor, and dependent women.
In Vidura’s counsel (nīti) during the Udyoga Parva, he instructs the listener on ideal household conduct, specifying four categories of dependents who should be given residence and support in a prosperous household.