Shloka 60
अर्जुनस्योत्तरदिग्विजयः
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests and Tribute Collection
तस्मिन् काले तु यद् युक्त धर्मकामार्थसंहितम् । तद् राजा धर्मतश्नक्रे प्रजापालनकीर्तनम्
tasmin kāle tu yad yukta dharmakāmārthasaṃhitam | tad rājā dharmataś cakre prajā-pālana-kīrtanam ||
At that time, whatever conduct was fitting for the fulfillment of dharma, artha, and kāma, King Yudhiṣṭhira carried out in accordance with righteousness. While protecting his subjects, he also continually instructed them in dharma, making the safeguarding of the people and the proclamation of right conduct his royal duty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s legitimacy rests on dharma: he must pursue the human aims (dharma, artha, kāma) in a balanced, proper way, chiefly by protecting the people and actively promoting moral order through instruction and example.
Vaiśampāyana describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s righteous rule: he performs the duties appropriate to the time, safeguards his subjects, and continually teaches them dharma as part of governance.