Shloka 7
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानत: । उत्पथप्रतिपन्नस्य दण्डो भवति शाश्वत:
guror apy avaliptasya kāryākāryam ajānataḥ | utpatha-pratipannasya daṇḍo bhavati śāśvataḥ ||
يعلّم بهيشما أن حتى المُعلِّم (الغورو) ليس بمنأى عن المساءلة: فإذا انتفخ بالكبر فلم يميّز ما ينبغي فعله مما لا ينبغي، وانحرف إلى طريقٍ معوجّ، فإن السنّة الخالدة تقضي بأن العقوبة تُوقع عليه بحقّ، ولو كان هو الغورو نفسه. فالدَّرما أسمى من المنزلة، والسلطان بلا استقامة يسقط عنه حصنه.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
No social or spiritual status grants exemption from dharma: if a guru becomes arrogant, loses discernment of duty and prohibition, and follows a wrongful path, then applying lawful punishment is upheld as an ancient, enduring rule.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma lays down a normative principle for rulers and society: discipline (daṇḍa) is meant to protect righteousness, and it may extend even to revered figures like a guru when their conduct becomes harmful and adharma-driven.