Shloka 31
Vidurā–Putra Saṃvāda: Utsāha, Kīrti, and Kṣātra Resolve
Udyoga-parva 131
भैक्ष॑ विप्रतिषिद्ध ते कृषिनैवोपपद्यते । क्षत्रियोउसि क्षतात् त्राता बाहुवीयोपजीविता,युधिष्ठिर! तुम्हारे लिये भिक्षावृत्तिका तो सर्वथा निषेध है और खेती भी तुम्हारे योग्य नहीं है। तुम तो दूसरोंको क्षतिसे त्राण देनेवाले क्षत्रिय हो। तुम्हें तो बाहुबलसे ही जीविका चलानी चाहिये
bhaikṣaṁ vipratiṣiddhaṁ te kṛṣināivopapadyate | kṣatriyo 'si kṣatāt trātā bāhuvīryopajīvitā, yudhiṣṭhira |
“For you, O Yudhiṣṭhira, living by alms is altogether forbidden, and agriculture too does not befit you. You are a Kṣatriya—one who protects others from harm. Therefore your livelihood should rest on the strength of your arms: on the rightful exercise of royal power and the duty of protection.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A person should uphold the livelihood and conduct appropriate to their dharma: for a Kṣatriya, protection and governance are primary, so living by alms or farming is presented as improper; strength and authority are to be used ethically to safeguard others.
Vāyudeva addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and counsels him on proper Kṣatriya conduct, rejecting the options of begging or agriculture and urging him to sustain himself through the protective, martial responsibilities of his station.