Ārjava, Satya, and the Virocana–Sudhanvan Exemplum
Udyoga-parva 35
यः कक्षिदप्यसम्बद्धो मित्रभावेन वर्तते । स एव बन्धुस्तन्मित्रं सा गतिस्तत् परायणम्,पहलेसे कोई सम्बन्ध न होनेपर भी जो मित्रताका बर्ताव करे, वही बन्धु, वही मित्र, वही सहारा और वही आश्रय है
yaḥ kaścid apy asambaddho mitrabhāvena vartate | sa eva bandhūs tan mitraṃ sā gatis tat parāyaṇam ||
ヴィドゥラは教える。たとえ以前に縁がなくとも、真実の友として振る舞う者は、その人こそ親族であり、友であり、苦難の支えであり、頼みとする帰依処である。
विदुर उवाच
True relationship is defined by conduct, not by birth or prior ties: one who acts with sincere friendliness becomes real family, a dependable ally, and a refuge in adversity.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura offers ethical counsel during the tense pre-war negotiations. Here he emphasizes how to recognize genuine support: a person who shows authentic friendship, even without earlier connection, deserves the status of kin and trusted refuge.