Shloka 17
Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
Devanagari script
यो ज्ञातिमनुगृह्नाति दरिद्रं दीनमातुरम्
Transliteration
yo jñātim anugṛhṇāti daridraṃ dīnam āturam
Translation
Vidura says: “He who shows compassionate support to a kinsman—when that relative is poor, helpless, and afflicted—acts in accordance with true righteousness.”
Word by Word
यःwho
यः:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootयद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
ज्ञातिम्a kinsman/relative
ज्ञातिम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootज्ञाति
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
अनुगृह्णातिshows favor to, helps
अनुगृह्णाति:
TypeVerb
Rootअनु-ग्रह्
FormPresent (Lat), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
दरिद्रम्poor
दरिद्रम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootदरिद्र
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
दीनम्wretched, distressed
दीनम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootदीन
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
आतुरम्afflicted, sick
आतुरम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootआतुर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
Speaker
विदुर उवाच
Characters & Entities
V
ViduraK
kinsman/relative (jñāti)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not merely ritual or status; it is expressed as compassionate responsibility—especially toward one’s own kin when they are impoverished, helpless, or suffering.
In Vidura’s counsel (Vidura-nīti) within the Udyoga Parva, he articulates ethical principles for right conduct; here he highlights the merit of aiding distressed relatives.