Shloka 17
Āśvamedhika-parva, Adhyāya 14
Consolation of Yudhiṣṭhira; Rites and Gifts; Return to Hastināpura
स समाथ्चास्य पितरं प्रज्ञाचक्षुषमी श्वरम् । अन्वशाद् वै स धर्मात्मा पृथिवीं भ्रातृभि: सह,धर्मात्मा राजा युधिष्ठिर प्रज्ञाचक्षु पितृव्य महाराज धृतराष्ट्रको सान्त्वना देकर भाइयोंके साथ पृथ्वीका राज्य करने लगे
sa samāthcāsya pitaraṃ prajñācakṣuṣam īśvaram | anvaśād vai sa dharmātmā pṛthivīṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having duly consoled his uncle—his father’s elder brother—Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who was blind yet endowed with insight, the righteous-souled King Yudhiṣṭhira proceeded to govern the earth together with his brothers, grounding his rule in dharma and reconciliation after the calamity of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after victory, dharma requires compassion and respect toward elders and former opponents; rightful rule is strengthened by reconciliation, self-restraint, and governance shared in harmony rather than triumphalism.
After the war, Yudhiṣṭhira consoles Dhṛtarāṣṭra (his paternal elder, blind yet wise) and then assumes the responsibility of ruling the kingdom, governing the earth together with his brothers.