Shloka 31
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
व्यक्तश्चानुग्रहो यस्य यथार्थश्चापि निग्रह: । गुप्तात्मा गुप्तराष्ट्रश्न स राजा राजधर्मवित्,जिसका अनुग्रह सबपर प्रकट है तथा जिसका निग्रह (दण्ड देना) भी यथार्थ कारणसे होता है, जो अपनी और अपने राज्यकी सुरक्षा करता है, वही राजा राजधर्मका ज्ञाता है
vyaktaś cānugraho yasya yathārthaś cāpi nigrahaḥ | guptātmā guptarāṣṭraś ca sa rājā rājadharmavit ||
قال بهيشما: الملك الذي تبدو نعمته للناس جميعًا ظاهرة، والذي لا يُنزل العقوبة إلا لسببٍ حقٍّ لائق، والذي يحفظ نفسه ومملكته حفظًا محكمًا—فذلك الحاكم هو العارف حقًّا بواجبات المُلك.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A righteous king balances two public functions: visible benevolence (anugraha) that reassures and supports the people, and justified punishment (nigraha) that is applied only for real and fitting causes. Alongside this, he maintains prudent self-control and protects the realm; these together define true knowledge of rājadharma.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on the marks of a competent and dharmic ruler. This verse summarizes the ideal: transparent kindness, principled discipline, and vigilant protection of both the ruler’s person/counsel and the kingdom.