Shloka 66
Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
अवध्या ब्राह्मणा गावो ज्ञातय: शिशव: स्त्रिय: । येषां चान्नानि भुज्जीत ये च स्यु: शरणागता:,ब्राह्मण, गौ, कुटुम्बी, बालक, स्त्री, अन्नदाता और शरणागत-ये अवध्य होते हैं
avadhyā brāhmaṇā gāvo jñātayaḥ śiśavaḥ striyaḥ | yeṣāṃ cānnāni bhujjīta ye ca syuḥ śaraṇāgatāḥ ||
Vidura erklärt, dass bestimmte Wesen niemals verletzt werden dürfen: Brahmanen, Kühe, die eigenen Verwandten, Kinder und Frauen. Ebenso sind jene unantastbar, von denen man Speise und Lebensunterhalt empfängt, und alle, die Schutz suchen. Im ethischen Rahmen des Udyoga Parva—wo der Krieg erwogen wird—setzt dieser Vers eine klare Grenze für rechtes Handeln: Dankbarkeit, der Schutz der Schwachen und die Pflicht, dem Schutzsuchenden Zuflucht zu gewähren, sind unverhandelbare Schranken selbst im politischen Konflikt.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches that dharma places firm limits on violence: Brahmins, cows, relatives, children, women, benefactors who provide one’s food, and anyone who seeks refuge are to be regarded as inviolable. The verse emphasizes gratitude and the sacred duty of protection, especially toward the vulnerable and the surrendered.
In Udyoga Parva, as tensions escalate toward the Kurukṣetra war, Vidura offers moral counsel (nīti) to restrain adharma. This verse functions as a normative reminder: even in political crisis, one must not cross certain ethical boundaries, particularly regarding dependents, benefactors, and those who surrender or seek shelter.