एवं युक्तो महाराज: पाण्डव: पार्थिवर्षभ: । कथं नाहति राजाहमासनं पृथिवीपते
evaṁ yukto mahārājaḥ pāṇḍavaḥ pārthivarṣabhaḥ | kathaṁ nārhati rājāham āsanaṁ pṛthivīpate nareśvara ||
హే పృథివీపతీ! ఇలాంటి గుణాలతో యుక్తుడైన ఈ పాండవుడు—రాజుల్లో శ్రేష్ఠుడు—రాజాసనానికి అర్హుడు కాక ఎలా ఉంటాడు?
अर्जुन उवाच
Legitimate kingship is grounded in dharma and character: compassion, steadfast righteousness, and exemplary conduct are presented as the true qualifications for the throne, beyond mere power or circumstance.
Arjuna addresses a king and argues on ethical and political grounds that Yudhiṣṭhira—described as supremely virtuous and dharma-devoted—rightfully deserves the royal seat, framing the point as a rhetorical question.