Shloka 38
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
अलंकृता वस्त्रवत्य: सुगन्धा अबीभत्सा: सुखिता भोगवत्य: । लघु यासां दर्शनं वाक् च लघ्वी वेशस्त्रिय: कुशल तात पृच्छे:,तात संजय! जिनका दर्शन मनोहर और बातें मनको प्रिय लगनेवाली होती हैं, जो वेश- भूषासे अलंकृत, सुन्दर वस्त्रोंस सुशोभित, उत्तम सुगन्ध धारण करनेवाली, घृणित व्यवहारसे रहित, सुखशालिनी और भोग-सामग्रीसे सम्पन्न हैं, उन वेश (शृंगार) धारण करानेवाली स्त्रियोंकी भी कुशल पूछना
alaṅkṛtā vastravatyaḥ sugandhā abībhatsāḥ sukhitā bhogavatyaḥ | laghu yāsāṃ darśanaṃ vāk ca laghvī veśastriyaḥ kuśala tāta pṛccheḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O dear Sañjaya, I ask after the welfare of those women who attend to adornment and dress—women whose appearance is pleasing and whose speech is gentle; who are decorated with ornaments, clothed in fine garments, and fragrant; who are free from repulsive conduct; who live in comfort and are well supplied with the means of enjoyment.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid political crisis, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains dhārmic conduct by inquiring after the welfare of all connected to the court, including service staff; ethical leadership includes concern for the well-being of every rank.
In the Udyoga Parva context of negotiations and impending war, Yudhiṣṭhira questions Sañjaya about the well-being of various people at the Kuru court; here he specifically asks about women responsible for dress and adornment who serve in the royal household.