अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
स एव भक्त: स गुरु: स भर्ता सवैपिता सच माता सुद्ृच्च । अगाधबुद्धि्विंदुरो दीर्घदर्शी स नो मन्त्री कुशलं तं सम पृच्छे:
sa eva bhaktaḥ sa guruḥ sa bhartā saiva pitā sa ca mātā sudṛḍhaḥ | agādhabuddhir vinduro dīrghadarśī sa no mantrī kuśalaṃ taṃ sama pṛccheḥ ||
ಅವನೇ ನಿಜ ಭಕ್ತ, ಅವನೇ ಗುರು, ಅವನೇ ಪಾಲಕ-ಆಧಾರ; ಅವನೇ ತಂದೆ, ಅವನೇ ತಾಯಿ—ದೃಢನೂ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸಾರ್ಹನೂ. ಅಗಾಧಬುದ್ಧಿಯುಳ್ಳ, ದೂರದೃಷ್ಟಿಯುಳ್ಳ ವಿದುರನು ನಮ್ಮ ಮಂತ್ರಿ. ಓ ಸಞ್ಜಯ! ಯೋಗ್ಯ ಗೌರವದಿಂದ ಅವನ ಬಳಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಹಿತ-ಕಲ್ಯಾಣವನ್ನು ವಿಚಾರಿಸು.
युधिछिर उवाच
Sound action in crisis should be sought from a counsellor who is steadfast, deeply intelligent, discerning, and far-sighted—someone whose loyalty and care are as comprehensive as that of a teacher, protector, and even parents.
In the Udyoga Parva’s deliberations before war, Yudhiṣṭhira emphasizes the exceptional worth of a particular adviser and urges that he be respectfully consulted about what will truly serve their welfare.