Shloka 68
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
भारत! वरदान पाना, राज्यकी प्राप्ति और पुत्रका जन्म--ये तीन एक ओर और शत्रुके कष्टसे छूटना--यह एक ओर; वे तीन और यह एक बराबर ही हैं ।। भक्त च भजमानं च तवास्मीति च वादिनम् | त्रीनेतांश्छरणं प्राप्तान् विषमेडपि न संत्यजेत्,भक्त, सेवक तथा मैं आपका ही हूँ, ऐसा कहनेवाले--इन तीन प्रकारके शरणागत मनुष्योंको संकट पड़नेपर भी नहीं छोड़ना चाहिये
Bhārata! varadāna-prāptiḥ, rājya-prāptiś ca putra-janma ca—ete trayaḥ ekataḥ; śatroḥ kaṣṭāt pramokṣaḥ—eṣa ekataḥ; te trayaś ca eṣa ca samāna-phalaṃ bhavataḥ. Bhaktaṃ ca bhajamānaṃ ca ‘tavāsmi’ iti ca vādinam—trīn etān śaraṇaṃ prāptān viṣame ’pi na santyajet.
Vidura says: “O Bhārata, three great boons—receiving a gift of grace, attaining sovereignty, and the birth of a son—stand on one side; and on the other stands a single boon: being freed from an enemy’s oppression. In worth, that one equals those three. Therefore, even in peril, one should never abandon those who have sought refuge: (1) a devoted follower, (2) one who serves and seeks your protection, and (3) one who openly declares, ‘I am yours.’”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler or powerful person must protect those who take refuge—devotees, servants, and those who pledge allegiance—without abandoning them even in danger; safeguarding the oppressed from an enemy is a supreme good, equal to the greatest worldly blessings.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura counsels the Kuru elder on righteous conduct amid the looming war. Here he emphasizes the moral duty of granting protection to dependents and refugees, framing it as a paramount royal virtue.