Shloka 42
अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
हस्तिनापुरमें जो बहुत-से हाथीवान हैं तथा जो अन्धे और बूढ़े हैं, उन सबको मेरी कुशल बताकर अन्तमें मेरी ओरसे उनके भी आरोग्य आदिका समाचार पूछना ।।
hāstināpure ye bahavo hastivantaḥ santi tathā ye’ndhāḥ sthavirāś ca, tān sarvān mama kuśalaṃ nivedya ante mama taraphāt teṣām api ārogya-ādikaṃ vārtāṃ pṛccha. mā bhaiṣṭa duḥkhena kujīvitena; nūnaṃ kṛtaṃ paralokeṣu pāpam. nigṛhya śatrūn suhṛdo’nugṛhya vāsobhir annena ca vo bhariṣye; tathā tebhyaḥ āśvāsanaṃ dadan idaṃ mama sandeshaṃ śrāvaya.
ユディシュティラは言う。「ハスティナープラでは、すべての者に—とりわけ象を扱う者、盲目の者、老いた者に—私が無事であると伝え、最後に私に代わって彼らの健康と安寧をも問いなさい。さらに告げよ。苦しみのゆえ、また卑しい暮らしを強いられるゆえに恐れてはならぬ。これは必ずや前世に犯した罪の熟した果である。ほどなく私は敵を討ち従え、捕らえて閉じ、善意の友に恩を施し、衣と食とをもって彼らを養うであろう。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse blends royal duty with karmic reflection: people should not collapse into fear when suffering arises, since hardship may be the fruition of past actions; meanwhile, a righteous leader must respond with compassion and concrete support—protecting the community, restraining aggressors, and ensuring basic welfare like food and clothing.
Yudhiṣṭhira sends a message to those in Hastināpura—especially vulnerable groups (the blind and the aged) and those connected with royal resources (elephant-keepers). He asks after their health, reassures them amid distress, and promises that he will soon subdue the enemies and then provide for his well-wishers with provisions.