Shloka 13
बद्धन्नरसपानाढ्या: सभा विदुर कारय । गवां निपानान्यन्यच्च विविध पुण्यकं कुरु,“विदुरजी! आप राजा धृतराष्ट्रकी आज्ञासे दीनों, अन्धों और कंगालोंके लिये भिन्न-भिन्न स्थानोंमें प्रचुर अन्न, रस और पीनेयोग्य पदार्थोंसे भरी हुई अनेक धर्मशालाएँ बनवाइये तथा गौओंके पानी पीनेके लिये बहुत-से पौंसलोंका निर्माण कीजिये। साथ ही दूसरे भी विविध प्रकारके पुण्य कीजिये इति श्रीमहाभारते आश्रमवासिके पर्वणि आश्रमवासपर्वणि विदुरवाक्ये त्रयोदशो 5 ध्याय: इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत आश्रमवासिकपवके अन्तर्गत आश्रमवासपर्वमें विदुरका वाक्यविषयक तेरहवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
baddhānna-rasapānāḍhyāḥ sabhā vidura kāraya | gavāṁ nipānāny anyac ca vividhaṁ puṇyakaṁ kuru ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Vidura, have shelters and halls built—well supplied with prepared food, nourishing drinks, and potable refreshments—for the poor, the blind, and the destitute in various places. Also construct many watering-troughs for cattle, and undertake other diverse acts of merit as well.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through practical compassion: organize public charity—food, drink, shelters, and care for animals—so that the vulnerable (poor, blind, destitute) are supported and society is sustained through meritorious works.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, an instruction is conveyed to Vidura to arrange public works of charity: build well-provisioned shelters/halls and create many watering facilities for cattle, along with other pious acts, reflecting the Kuru household’s turn toward merit and welfare in the Ashramavāsa context.