Shloka 3
Saṃvaraṇa–Tapatī Vivāhaḥ (The Marriage of Saṃvaraṇa and Tapatī) — Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva 163
यथा व्विदं न विन्देयुर्नरा नगरवासिन: । तथायं ब्राह्मणो वाच्य: परिग्राह्श्च यत्नत:,आपको यत्नपूर्वक ब्राह्मणपर अनुग्रह तो करना ही चाहिये; किंतु ब्राह्मगणसे यह कह देना चाहिये कि वे इस प्रकार मौन रहें कि नगरनिवासियोंको यह बात मालूम न होने पाये
yathā vvidaṁ na vindeyur narā nagaravāsinaḥ | tathāyaṁ brāhmaṇo vācyaḥ parigrāhaś ca yatnataḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Arrange matters so that the townspeople do not come to know of this. Yet this brāhmaṇa must be addressed with care, and he should be supported and received with diligent attention.” The ethical thrust is discretion joined with duty: protect social order and public peace, while still extending proper honor and assistance to a brāhmaṇa.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma here balances two duties: maintain discretion so the public is not disturbed, while still honoring and supporting a brāhmaṇa with careful hospitality and respectful speech.
Yudhiṣṭhira gives practical instruction: keep a sensitive matter hidden from the city’s residents, but ensure the brāhmaṇa involved is properly received, spoken to appropriately, and provided for with deliberate care.