Shloka 256
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
नृशंस्थामयशस्यां च दुःखां कापुरुषोचिताम् | तुझे हिजड़ों
nṛśaṃsathāmayayaśasyāṃ ca duḥkhāṃ kāpuruṣocitām |
वायु-देव ने कहा—हिजड़ों, कापालिकों, क्रूर मनुष्यों और कायरों के योग्य भिक्षा आदि निन्दनीय वृत्ति का आश्रय कभी नहीं लेना चाहिए; क्योंकि वह अपयश फैलाने वाली और दुःखदायिनी होती है।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not adopt a degrading livelihood that is associated with cruelty or cowardice; such conduct spreads ill-fame (ayaśas) and results in suffering (duḥkha). Dharma is upheld by choosing honorable means even under pressure.
Vāyudeva is speaking a moral admonition within the Udyoga Parva context, emphasizing standards of conduct and warning against ignoble survival-strategies that undermine one’s dignity and reputation.