Shloka 14
Vasiṣṭha–Karāla-Janaka Saṃvāda: Aśuddha-Sevana, Guṇa-Dr̥ṣṭi, and Sāṃkhya–Yoga Ekārthatā
Mahābhārata 12.293
तस्माद् यो रक्षति नृप: स धर्मेणेति पूज्यते । अधीते चापि यो वितप्रो वैश्यो यश्चार्जने रत:
tasmād yo rakṣati nṛpaḥ sa dharmeṇeti pūjyate | adhīte cāpi yo vipraḥ vaiśyo yaścārjane rataḥ ||
Therefore, the king who protects (his people) is honored as one who acts in accordance with dharma. Likewise, the brāhmaṇa who studies (the Veda and sacred learning), and the vaiśya who is devoted to earning and acquisition, are each praised when they remain steadfast in their own proper duties.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Each social role is honored when it fulfills its own dharma: the king by protecting, the brāhmaṇa by study, and the vaiśya by diligent livelihood and acquisition carried out within righteous bounds.
Parāśara is explaining standards of dharma in the Śānti Parva, identifying the defining duties by which different members of society—especially the ruler, the brāhmaṇa, and the vaiśya—are recognized and praised.