Shloka 2
Jarītā-Śārṅgaka-saṃvādaḥ — The Dialogue of Jaritā and the Śārṅgaka Chicks
Fire-escape deliberation
आश्रित्य धर्मराजानं सर्वलोको5वसत् सुखम् । पुण्यलक्षणकर्माणं स्वदेहमिव देहिन:
āśritya dharmarājānaṃ sarvaloko ’vasat sukham | puṇyalakṣaṇakarmāṇaṃ svadeham iva dehinaḥ ||
आश्रित्य धर्मराजानं सर्वलोकः सुखं वसत् । पुण्यलक्षणकर्माणं स्वदेहमिव देहिनः ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a ruler grounded in dharma becomes a true refuge for society: when people rely on a righteous king, collective well-being follows. It also links happiness to puṇya—ethical action bears fruit, just as merit yields a favorable embodiment and consequent ease.
Vaiśampāyana describes a period under Yudhiṣṭhira’s protection in which the populace lives peacefully and happily. The narrator uses a simile: as an individual enjoys a good body obtained through meritorious deeds, so the people enjoy comfort by depending on Dharmarāja.