Shloka 23
अध्याय ९ — धृतराष्ट्रस्य युधिष्ठिरं प्रति राजनित्युपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel on Royal Policy to Yudhiṣṭhira
राजर्षीणां पुराणानां भवतां पुण्यकर्मणाम्
rājarṣīṇāṃ purāṇānāṃ bhavatāṃ puṇyakarmaṇām | yajñeṣu mahadbhir dākṣiṇyaiḥ pradātṝṇāṃ dharmātmanām | eṣa dharmātmā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ prācīnakālasya puṇyātmanāṃ rājarṣīṇāṃ kuru-saṃvaraṇādīnāṃ tathā buddhimato rājño bharatasya vṛttam anusarati |
毗舍摩波耶那说道：这位奉持正法的国王——以在祭祀中施与丰厚祭礼而闻名的——坚守古代有功德的王仙之行，如俱卢、三婆罗那等，又效法睿智的婆罗多王。由此，他使自己的王权与上古的法度相契合：在那样的正法尺度中，慷慨、克制与君王的典范之行，才被视为德行的真实衡量。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ideal kingship is measured by dharma expressed through exemplary conduct and generosity—especially the disciplined giving of dakṣiṇā in yajñas—and by consciously emulating the standards set by revered ancestors and royal seers.
Vaiśaṃpāyana characterizes Yudhiṣṭhira’s rule and personal ethic by linking him to a lineage of ancient exemplary rulers (Kuru, Saṃvaraṇa, Bharata), emphasizing that Yudhiṣṭhira models his behavior on their established royal norms.