Shloka 77
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 34 — Vidura’s Counsel on Deliberation, Speech-Discipline, and Dharmic Kingship
सर्वर्गणैरुपेतास्तु पाण्डवा भरतर्षभ | पितृवत् त्वयि वर्तन्ते तेषु वर्तस्व पुत्रवत्
sarvargaṇair upetās tu pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabha | pitṛvat tvayi vartante teṣu vartasva putravat ||
O bull among the Bharatas, the Pāṇḍavas—accompanied by all their supporters—conduct themselves toward you as toward a father. Therefore, you should conduct yourself toward them as toward sons.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Reciprocal dharma within family and rulership: when the Pāṇḍavas show filial respect toward the elder king, he must respond with paternal responsibility—protection, impartiality, and affectionate justice—rather than suspicion or hostility.
In Udyoga Parva, as tensions move toward war, Vidura counsels the Kuru elder (Dhṛtarāṣṭra). He reminds him that the Pāṇḍavas approach him as a father-figure, so he should treat them as his own sons, encouraging conciliation and rightful conduct.