Shloka 70
Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
चत्वारि ते तात गृहे वसन्तु श्रियाभिजुष्टस्य गृहस्थधर्मे । वृद्धो ज्ञातिरवसन्न: कुलीन: सदा दरिद्रो भगिनी चानपत्या,तात! गृहस्थधर्ममें स्थित आप लक्ष्मीवानके घरमें चार प्रकारके मनुष्योंको सदा रहना चाहिये--अपने कुटुम्बका बूढ़ा, संकटमें पड़ा हुआ उच्च कुलका मनुष्य, धनहीन मित्र और बिना संतानकी बहिन
catvāri te tāta gṛhe vasantu śriyābhijuṣṭasya gṛhasthadharme | vṛddho jñātir avasannaḥ kulīnaḥ sadā daridro bhaginī cānapatyā ||
Vidura advises: “Dear one, in the house of a prosperous man who is firmly established in the duties of a householder, four kinds of persons should always be given a place to live: an aged kinsman, a well-born person fallen into distress, a friend who is continually poor, and a sister who is without children.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A householder’s dharma is not merely personal piety or wealth-management; it is sustained care for those who have rightful claims through kinship, friendship, and vulnerability—especially the aged, the distressed, the poor, and dependent women.
In Vidura’s counsel (nīti) during the Udyoga Parva, he instructs the listener on ideal household conduct, specifying four categories of dependents who should be given residence and support in a prosperous household.