Shloka 12
पितुरन्त:पुरं दद्यान्मातुर्दद्यान्महानसम् | गोषु चात्मसमं दद्यात् स्वयमेव कृषिं व्रजेत्
pitur antaḥpuraṁ dadyān mātur dadyān mahānasam | goṣu cātmasamaṁ dadyāt svayam eva kṛṣiṁ vrajet ||
Vidura advises a disciplined, duty-bound division of household responsibilities: entrust the father with the inner apartments, the mother with the kitchen and domestic management, and in matters of cattle and wealth allot an equal share to one’s own dependents; then, without indulgence or idleness, personally take up agriculture. The ethical thrust is self-reliance, fair distribution, and orderly governance of the home as the foundation of righteous living.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Orderly delegation within the household, fairness in distributing wealth (especially livestock), and personal industry: a righteous householder should not live off others’ labor but should undertake productive work like farming while ensuring equitable treatment of dependents.
In Vidura’s counsel (Vidura-nīti) within Udyoga Parva, he lays down practical ethical guidance for governance of home and livelihood—how responsibilities should be assigned to parents and how one should manage wealth and work—framing domestic discipline as part of dharma.