Shloka 17
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
धर्मे वर्धति वर्धन्ति सर्वभूतानि सर्वदा | तस्मिन् हसति ह्ीयन्ते तस्माद् धर्म न लोपयेत्
dharme vardhati vardhante sarvabhūtāni sarvadā | tasmin hasati hīyante tasmād dharma na lopayet ||
When dharma grows, all beings invariably flourish. When it declines, all are diminished. Therefore one should never allow dharma to be lost or destroyed.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is the sustaining principle of collective well-being: when it is strengthened, all beings prosper; when it is weakened, universal decline follows. Hence dharma must be protected and not allowed to lapse.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and right conduct, the sage Utathya teaches a general law of moral order: the rise and fall of dharma directly shapes the welfare of all living beings, urging the listener (especially a ruler or responsible person) to preserve dharma.