Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38
अन्निहोत्रफला वेदा: शीलवृत्तफलं श्रुवम् । रतिपुत्रफला नारी दत्तभुक्तफलं धनम्
agnihotraphalā vedāḥ śīlavṛttaphalaṃ śrutam | ratiputraphalā nārī dattabhukta-phalaṃ dhanam ||
Vidura states that every revered thing bears its proper fruit: the Vedas culminate in the performance of agnihotra; learning and sacred study should mature into good character and disciplined conduct; a wife brings the fruits of conjugal joy and the begetting of children; and wealth finds its true purpose in being enjoyed rightly and, above all, given in charity.
विदुर उवाच
Vidura teaches that the worth of Vedic knowledge, learning, marriage, and wealth is measured by their proper dharmic fruits: ritual duty (agnihotra), virtuous conduct, family continuity and lawful pleasure, and the righteous use of wealth through enjoyment within limits and generous giving.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers moral counsel in the tense lead-up to war. Here he summarizes a practical ethic: each sphere of life—religion, education, household relations, and economics—must culminate in its intended, socially and morally sustaining outcome.