Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds
धर्मराज उवाच । राजन्धर्मविदां श्रेष्टप्रसिद्धोऽसि जगत्र्रये । धर्मराजोऽथ कीर्तिं ते श्रुत्वा त्वां द्रष्टुमागतः ॥ ३६ ॥
dharmarāja uvāca | rājandharmavidāṃ śreṣṭaprasiddho'si jagatrraye | dharmarājo'tha kīrtiṃ te śrutvā tvāṃ draṣṭumāgataḥ || 36 ||
Dharmarāja said: “O King, you are renowned in the three worlds as the foremost among those who know Dharma. Therefore I, Dharmarāja, having heard of your fame, have come to see you.”
Dharmaraja (Yama)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
The verse establishes Dharma as a cosmic standard recognized across the three worlds, showing that true fame is grounded in righteous conduct and knowledge of dharma.
While not directly teaching bhakti, it supports bhakti’s ethical foundation: devotion becomes spiritually potent when aligned with dharma, humility, and right action.
No specific Vedanga is taught in this line; the practical takeaway is Rajadharma—public leadership rooted in dharma-shastra awareness and accountable conduct.