Shloka 36
यदा शारणिकानू् राजा पुत्रवत् परिरक्षति । भिनत्ति च न मर्यादां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते,जब राजा व्यापारियोंकी पुत्रके समान रक्षा करता है और धर्मकी मर्यादाको भंग नहीं करता, तब वह भी राजाका धर्म कहलाता है
yadā śāraṇikān rājā putravat parirakṣati | bhinatti ca na maryādāṃ sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
优陀提耶说道：“当国王如护己子般护佑前来求庇之人，并且不逾越既定的正法与法度之界限时，此等行持便被宣称为国王之法（dharma）。”
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s dharma is defined by two linked duties: compassionate protection of those under his care (especially the vulnerable and refuge-seekers) and strict adherence to maryādā—recognized moral and legal boundaries—so that power is exercised without arbitrariness.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Utathya articulates a criterion for righteous kingship: the ruler must guard dependents as dearly as his own children and must not transgress the limits of dharma; such conduct is praised as the true duty of a king.