Draupadī’s Lament and Theodicy: Dharma, Dice, and Īśvara’s Governance (Āraṇyaka-parva 31)
फलदं चल्विह विज्ञाय धातारं श्रेयसि ध्रुवम् धर्म ते व्यचरन् कृष्णे तद्धि श्रेय: सनातनम्,कृष्णे! यहाँ धर्मका फल देनेवाले ईश्वर अवश्य हैं, यह बात जानकर ही उन ऋषि आदिकोंने धर्मका आचरण किया है। धर्म ही सनातन श्रेय है
phaladaṃ khalv iha vijñāya dhātāraṃ śreyasi dhruvam | dharmaṃ te vyacaran kṛṣṇe tad dhi śreyaḥ sanātanam ||
おおクリシュナーよ。ここにおいて創造主(ダーター)が、ことに最高の善へ導く行いについて、業の果を確かに揺るぎなく授ける者であると知ったがゆえに、かの仙人や長老たちはダルマを実践した。ダルマこそが永遠の真の福利の道なのである。
युधिछिर उवाच
Dharma is the eternal path of true welfare (śreyas). The sages practiced dharma because they were convinced that an ordaining divine principle (Dhātā/Īśvara) reliably dispenses the fruits of actions; therefore righteous conduct is never ultimately wasted.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Draupadī (called Kṛṣṇā), affirming that the tradition of sages rests on confidence in a moral order: God/Providence gives the results of deeds. He uses this to justify steadfast adherence to dharma even amid suffering and uncertainty.