Shloka 13
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
सुप्रणीतेन दण्डेन प्रियाप्रियसमात्मना । प्रजा रक्षति य: सम्यग्धर्म एव स केवल:
supranītena daṇḍena priyāpriyasamātmanā | prajā rakṣati yaḥ samyag dharma eva sa kevalaḥ || prāg idaṃ vacanaṃ proktam ataḥ prāgvacanaṃ viduḥ | vyavahārasya cākhyānād vyavahāra iho cyate narendra ||
Bhishma said: “He who protects the people rightly—by punishment that is well-administered and by a mind impartial to what is pleasant and unpleasant—he alone is Dharma itself. This teaching was uttered in ancient times; therefore it is known as the ‘former (primeval) utterance’ (prāgvacana). And because it sets forth the principles of legal procedure and adjudication (vyavahāra), it is here called ‘Vyavahāra’, O king.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king becomes the embodiment of Dharma when he protects his subjects through properly regulated punishment and strict impartiality—remaining even-minded toward the pleasant and the unpleasant. Justice must be administered without personal preference.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and law, Bhishma addresses the king (Yudhishthira), explaining an ancient authoritative dictum. He identifies the section as ‘Vyavahāra’ because it expounds judicial procedure and practical adjudication.