Shloka 38
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 34 — Vidura’s Counsel on Deliberation, Speech-Discipline, and Dharmic Kingship
एष प्रह्माद पुत्रस्ते मया दत्तो विरोचन: । पादप्रक्षालनं कुर्यात् कुमार्या: संनिधौ मम,प्रह्माद! तुम्हारे इस पुत्र विरोचनको मैंने पुनः तुम्हें दे दिया; किंतु अब यह कुमारी केशिनीके निकट चलकर मेरे पैर धोवे
eṣa prahrāda putras te mayā datto virocanaḥ | pāda-prakṣālanaṃ kuryāt kumāryāḥ saṃnidhau mama ||
Sudhanvan said: “Here is Virocana, your son, whom I now return to you. Yet, in my presence, let him go near the maiden Keśinī and wash my feet.”
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worth is shown through humility and service; social status or birth is secondary to disciplined conduct and respectful behavior.
Prahrāda returns Virocana to his father but imposes a public act of service—washing Prahrāda’s feet near the maiden Keśinī—functioning as a test and demonstration of humility and propriety.