Shloka 41
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
दुर्गाणां चाभितो राजा मूलच्छेदं प्रकारयेत् । सर्वेषां क्षुद्रवृक्षाणां चैत्यवृक्षान् विवर्जयेत्
durgāṇāṃ cābhito rājā mūlacchedaṃ prakārayet | sarveṣāṃ kṣudravṛkṣāṇāṃ caityavṛkṣān vivarjayet ||
قال بهيشما: «على الملك أن يأمر باجتثاث الحصون الصغيرة ومواضع الاختباء حول مملكته واقتلاعها من الجذور. وكذلك ليقطع كلَّ الشجيرات والأشجار الواطئة—إلا أشجار “تشايتيا” المقدسة المتصلة بالمزارات—كي لا يجد العدو سترًا ولا موضع كمين.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must remove potential cover and hidden refuges that could aid enemies, but should still respect religious sanctity by sparing sacred caitya-associated trees—balancing security with dharmic restraint.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma in Śānti Parva, he advises practical measures for protecting the kingdom: clearing nearby strongholds and undergrowth that could conceal hostile forces, while exempting trees regarded as sacred.