Shloka 91
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
उत्पतेत् सहजाद् देशाद् व्याधिदुर्भिक्षपीडितात् | अन्यत्र वस्तुं गच्छेद् वा वसेद् वा नित्यमानित:,अपना जन्मस्थान भी यदि रोग और दुर्भिक्षसे पीडित हो तो आत्मरक्षाके लिये वहाँसे हट जाना या अन्यत्र निवासके लिये चले जाना चाहिये। यदि वहाँ रहना ही हो तो सदा सम्मानित होकर रहे
utpatet sahajādd deśād vyādhidurbhikṣapīḍitāt | anyatra vastuṁ gacched vā vased vā nityamānitaḥ ||
Brahmadatta said: If one’s native land is afflicted by disease and famine, one should depart from it for the sake of self-preservation, or go elsewhere to reside. If, however, one must remain there, one should live in such a way as to be continually respected—maintaining dignity and social standing even amid hardship.
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
In times of severe crisis—when one’s homeland is stricken by disease and famine—dharma permits prioritizing self-preservation by relocating. If relocation is impossible, one should still uphold dignified conduct and maintain honorable standing, rather than collapsing into disorder or disgrace.
Within the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, Brahmadatta offers practical counsel for calamity: leave an afflicted region to protect life, or, if compelled to stay, live with sustained respectability and disciplined social behavior.