Shloka 17

Vidura-nīti: Atithi-dharma, Trust, Counsel-Secrecy, and Traits of Sustainable Rule

Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 38

Devanagari script

यो ज्ञातिमनुगृह्नाति दरिद्रं दीनमातुरम्‌

Transliteration

yo jñātim anugṛhṇāti daridraṃ dīnam āturam

Translation

ଯେ ଦରିଦ୍ର, ଦୀନ ଓ ଆତୁର (ରୋଗାକ୍ରାନ୍ତ) ଜ୍ଞାତିକୁ ଅନୁଗ୍ରହ କରେ।

Word by Word

• यः: who
• यः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ज्ञातिम्: a kinsman/relative
• ज्ञातिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अनुगृह्णाति: shows favor to, helps
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-ग्रह्
• Form: Present (Lat), Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• दरिद्रम्: poor
• दरिद्रम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दरिद्र
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• दीनम्: wretched, distressed
• दीनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• आतुरम्: afflicted, sick
• आतुरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आतुर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

विदुर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• kinsman/relative (jñāti)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma is not merely ritual or status; it is expressed as compassionate responsibility—especially toward one’s own kin when they are impoverished, helpless, or suffering.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Vidura’s counsel (Vidura-nīti) within the Udyoga Parva, he articulates ethical principles for right conduct; here he highlights the merit of aiding distressed relatives.