Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
धर्मेण राजा धर्मज्ञ: पातु सर्वा वसुन्धराम्
dharmeṇa rājā dharmajñaḥ pātu sarvāṃ vasundharām | bharataśreṣṭha bahu-se siddha-mahātmānāṃ saṅgase suśobhitaḥ tathā vandījanaiḥ sadā hi praśaṃsitaḥ san dharmajño rājā yudhiṣṭhira idānīṃ dharmapūrvakaṃ sarvāṃ pṛthivīṃ pālayet |
Biarlah raja yang mengetahui dharma melindungi seluruh bumi melalui dharma. Wahai yang terbaik di antara keturunan Bharata! Kini Raja Yudhiṣṭhira—berhias oleh pergaulan banyak mahātma yang telah mencapai kesempurnaan dan senantiasa dipuji para pemuji istana—hendaknya memerintah seluruh dunia menurut kebenaran dharma.
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse teaches rājadharma: a king’s authority is justified only when he protects the world through dharma—righteous conduct, just policy, and moral restraint—supported by the counsel and presence of the wise.
Vāyudeva addresses the Bharata hero and points to Yudhiṣṭhira’s rightful role after upheaval: surrounded by accomplished sages and praised by bards, Yudhiṣṭhira is urged to undertake the ethical governance of the entire earth.