Shloka 20
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
अन्तर्हितायां सावित्र्यां जगाम स्वपुरं नृप: । स्वराज्ये चावसदू वीर: प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन्
antarhitāyāṃ sāvitrayāṃ jagāma svapuraṃ nṛpaḥ | svarājye cāvasad vīraḥ prajā dharmeṇa pālayan ||
When Sāvitrī had vanished from sight, the king returned to his own city. There that heroic ruler dwelt in his rightful kingdom, protecting his subjects in accordance with dharma—governing not by mere power, but by righteous duty.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores rājadhrama: a king’s legitimacy is expressed through dharmic protection of the people. True sovereignty (svarājya) is not mere possession of power but the ethical responsibility to uphold order and welfare.
After Sāvitrī is no longer present (she has vanished from sight), the king returns to his own city and continues to live and rule in his kingdom, maintaining his subjects through righteous governance.