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 |
Que o rei, conhecedor do dharma, proteja toda a terra por meio do dharma. Ó o melhor dos Bhāratas! Agora, que o rei Yudhiṣṭhira—ornado pela companhia de muitos grandes seres perfeitos e continuamente louvado pelos bardos—governe o mundo inteiro de acordo com a retidão.
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.