Shloka 31
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
वसिष्ठमीशं विप्राणां वसूनां जातवेदसम् । तेजसां भास्कर चक्रे नक्षत्राणां निशाकरम्,वसिष्ठको ब्राह्मणोंका, जातवेदा अग्निको वसुओंका, सूर्यको तेजस्वी ग्रहोंका और चन्द्रमाको नक्षत्रोंका अधिपति बनाया
vasiṣṭham īśaṃ viprāṇāṃ vasūnāṃ jātavedasam | tejasāṃ bhāskaraṃ cakre nakṣatrāṇāṃ niśākaram ||
Vasuharoma said: He appointed Vasiṣṭha as lord among the Brāhmaṇas; Jātavedas (Agni) as lord of the Vasus; the Sun as chief among luminous powers; and the Moon as ruler of the stars.
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dharma is sustained by proper order: authority should rest with the most appropriate and capable presiding principle in each sphere (spiritual, elemental, luminous, and celestial), creating harmony rather than confusion.
Vasuharoma describes a cosmic arrangement of leadership: Vasiṣṭha is set over the Brāhmaṇas, Agni over the Vasus, the Sun over luminous energies, and the Moon over the stars—illustrating an organized universe governed by fitting rulers.