Shloka 16
Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
प्रशान्तामखिलां पार्थ पृथिवीं पृथिवीपति: । भुड्क्ते धर्मसुतो राजा त्वया गुप्त: कुरूद्गवह,कुरुकुलतिलक कुन्तीकुमार! धर्मपुत्र पृथ्वीपति राजा युधिष्ठिर आज तुमसे सुरक्षित होकर सर्वथा शान्त हुई समूची पृथ्वीका राज्य भोगते हैं
praśāntām akhilāṁ pārtha pṛthivīṁ pṛthivīpatiḥ | bhuṅkte dharmasuto rājā tvayā guptaḥ kurūdvaha ||
Vāyu sprach: „O Pārtha, die ganze Erde ist zur Ruhe gebracht. Von dir beschützt, genießt und verwaltet nun der König Dharmasuta—Herr der Erde und Erster unter den Kurus—das Reich in Übereinstimmung mit dem Dharma.“
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate kingship is measured by the pacification of the realm and the protection of dharma: when the righteous king (Dharmasuta) is safeguarded by capable guardians (like Arjuna), the earth becomes peaceful and governance becomes the ethical enjoyment of sovereignty rather than mere power.
Vāyudeva addresses Arjuna, praising him as the protector through whom Yudhiṣṭhira, the dharma-king, securely rules. The verse frames the post-conflict order: the kingdom is stabilized, the earth is calm, and Yudhiṣṭhira governs as sovereign of the Kuru line.