अध्याय २९ — वासुदेव–संजय संवादः
Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and the Ethics of Governance
तथा रज्ञो हार्थयुक्तानमात्यान् दौवारिकान् ये च सेनां नयन्ति । आयदव्ययं ये गणयन्ति नित्य- मर्थाश्न ये महतश्षिन्तयन्ति
tathā rājño hārthayuktān amātyān dauvārikān ye ca senāṃ nayanti | āyadavyayaṃ ye gaṇayanti nityam arthāś ca ye mahataś cintayanti ||
یُدھِشٹھِر نے کہا—بادشاہ کے مفاد کے کاموں میں لگے ہوئے وزیر، دربان، لشکر کے سالار، روزانہ آمدنی و خرچ کا حساب رکھنے والے، اور جو بڑے بڑے امور اور گہرے سوالات پر مسلسل غور کرتے ہیں—اُن سب کی بھی خیریت دریافت کرنا۔
युधिछिर उवाच
A ruler’s dharma includes attentive care for the officials who sustain the kingdom—ministers, guards, commanders, and accountants. Their welfare and conscientious performance are essential for just governance and the orderly pursuit of artha without violating dharma.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy context, Yudhiṣṭhira outlines proper royal conduct and protocol: one should inquire about the well-being of key functionaries responsible for security, military leadership, and financial administration, emphasizing the practical foundations of a stable polity.