Shloka 54
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
इत्येष दण्डो विख्यात आदौ मध्ये तथावरे | भूमिपालो यथान्यायं वर्तेतानेन धर्मवित्,इस तरह यह दण्ड आदि, मध्य और अन्तमें विख्यात है। धर्मज्ञ राजाको चाहिये कि इसके द्वारा न्यायोचित बर्ताव करे
ity eṣa daṇḍo vikhyāta ādau madhye tathāvare | bhūmipālo yathānyāyaṁ vartetānena dharmavit ||
Thus this principle of punishment and governance (daṇḍa) is well known as applicable at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of affairs. A dharma-knowing king should, by means of it, conduct himself in accordance with justice—using authority not as mere force, but as a measured instrument to uphold right order.
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Daṇḍa (royal authority and punishment) must be applied consistently and justly in all phases of rule; a dharma-wise king uses it as a disciplined instrument to uphold justice, not as arbitrary violence.
Vasuharoma concludes an instruction on daṇḍa, stating that its proper use is established for every stage of governance, and urging the king to act according to nyāya (justice) through this principle.