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 |
ヴァーユ神は宣言した。「乞食などのような卑しむべき生業に、決して頼ってはならぬ。それは残忍な者と臆病者にのみ相応しく、不名誉を広め、苦しみを招くからである。ここにある倫理の要は、卑しい生存のために名誉ある行いを捨てるなという警めであり、その選択は名声と心の安寧を蝕む。」
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.