Shloka 40
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
कच्चिद् वृत्तिं वर्तते वै पुराणीं कच्चिद् भोगान् धार्तराष्ट्रो ददाति । अंगहीनान् कृपणान् वामनान् वा यानानृशंस्यो धृतराष्ट्रो बिभर्ति
kaccid vṛttiṁ vartate vai purāṇīṁ kaccid bhogān dhārtarāṣṭro dadāti | aṅgahīnān kṛpaṇān vāmanān vā yānānṛśaṁsyo dhṛtarāṣṭro bibharti ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「彼らはなお、古来の慣習に従って生計を保っているか。ダーリタラーシュトラ（ドゥルヨーダナ）は彼らに糧と必需を与えているか。さらに、慈悲深きドリタラーシュトラが扶養する者—身体に欠けある者、困窮する者、背の低い者—は、ドゥルヨーダナから生活を支えるに足る施しを受けているか。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma: a ruler (and the ruling house) must ensure the livelihood and support of vulnerable dependents—especially those sustained by the king’s compassion. Ethical governance is measured not only by power but by continued, traditional provision and humane care.
In Udyoga Parva’s diplomatic context, Yudhiṣṭhira asks after the Kuru court’s welfare and moral conduct. He specifically inquires whether Duryodhana provides ongoing maintenance and supplies to those whom Dhṛtarāṣṭra compassionately supports—testing the ethical state of the kingdom amid rising conflict.