Shloka 17
धृतराष्ट्र-सेवा, राज्य-कार्य-विभागः
Service to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Allocation of State Duties
विदुरं संजयं चैव युयुत्सुं च महामतिम् । अब्रवीत् परवीरघ्नो धर्मात्मा धर्मवत्सल:ः
vaiśampāyana uvāca | viduraṃ saṃjayaṃ caiva yuyutsuṃ ca mahāmatim | abravīt paravīraghno dharmātmā dharmavatsalaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Darauf wandte sich Yudhiṣṭhira—Bezwinger feindlicher Helden, rechtschaffen im Geist und dem Dharma zugetan—an Vidura, Saṃjaya und den überaus weisen Yuyutsu. Er gebot ihnen, stets wachsam zu sein und, jeden Tag aufs Neue aufstehend, alle notwendigen Dienste für seinen älteren Oheim, König Dhṛtarāṣṭra, in gebührender Weise zu verrichten—und stellte so die ehrfürchtige Fürsorge für einen betagten Verwandten in das Zentrum der Nachkriegs-Herrschaft und der ethischen Staatsführung.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after victory, dharma requires vigilant, respectful care for elders and kin—especially those formerly opposed—so that governance is grounded in duty, restraint, and reconciliation rather than triumphalism.
In the Śānti Parva’s postwar setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks to Vidura, Saṃjaya, and Yuyutsu, directing them to attend properly and daily to the needs and service of the aged King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his elder uncle.