Shloka 70
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
विभज्य दण्डं रक्ष्यास्तु धर्मतो न यदृच्छया । दुर्वाचा निग्रहो दण्डो हिरण्यबहुलस्तथा
bhīṣma uvāca |
vibhajya daṇḍaṁ rakṣyāstu dharmato na yadṛcchayā |
durvācā nigraho daṇḍo hiraṇyabahulastathā ||
Bhishma said: “Punishment should be apportioned distinctly and administered in accordance with dharma, never by mere whim. Reproof through harsh words is a form of punishment meant to restrain; likewise, a punishment that exacts abundant gold (a heavy fine) is also prescribed.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Punishment (daṇḍa) must be applied discriminately and in conformity with dharma, not according to personal whim. Even non-physical measures—stern verbal censure and heavy monetary fines—are legitimate forms of restraint when used justly.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous rule, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on statecraft: how a king should protect the people by administering penalties proportionately and lawfully, emphasizing that governance must be principled rather than arbitrary.