Adhyāya 3: Indra’s Invitation and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Refusal to Abandon the Dog
Svargārohaṇa Test
ये5पि राजर्षय: सर्वे ते चापि समुपस्थिता: । कीर्ति प्रच्छाद्य तेषां वै कुरुराजो5धितिष्ठति
ye 'pi rājarṣayaḥ sarve te cāpi samupasthitāḥ | kīrtiṁ pracchādya teṣāṁ vai kururājo 'dhitiṣṭhati ||
Semua raja-resi yang telah datang ke surga pun hadir di sana; namun raja Kuru, Yudhiṣṭhira, bertakhta dalam kemuliaan, sebab ketenarannya yang tak bernoda seakan menutupi kemasyhuran mereka semua.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
True kingship grounded in dharma yields a moral radiance (kīrti) that surpasses even the accumulated renown of other great rulers; ethical excellence becomes the highest distinction.
In the heavenly setting, many rājarṣis are gathered, yet Yudhiṣṭhira is portrayed as presiding in a superior position, his fame and merit eclipsing the glory of the others.