Shloka 38
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
अलंकृता वस्त्रवत्य: सुगन्धा अबीभत्सा: सुखिता भोगवत्य: । लघु यासां दर्शनं वाक् च लघ्वी वेशस्त्रिय: कुशल तात पृच्छे:
alaṅkṛtā vastravatyaḥ sugandhā abībhatsāḥ sukhitā bhogavatyaḥ | laghu yāsāṃ darśanaṃ vāk ca laghvī veśastriyaḥ kuśala tāta pṛccheḥ ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「愛しきサンジャヤよ、装いと衣服の支度を司る女たちの安否もまた尋ねたい。姿は目に麗しく、言葉はやわらかい。宝飾で飾られ、良き衣をまとい、香をまとっている。忌むべき振る舞いなく、安楽に暮らし、享楽の資も満ちている。その者たちのことも、どうか無事を問うてくれ。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid political crisis, Yudhiṣṭhira maintains dhārmic conduct by inquiring after the welfare of all connected to the court, including service staff; ethical leadership includes concern for the well-being of every rank.
In the Udyoga Parva context of negotiations and impending war, Yudhiṣṭhira questions Sañjaya about the well-being of various people at the Kuru court; here he specifically asks about women responsible for dress and adornment who serve in the royal household.