Shloka 27
Kṣātra-Dharma, Daṇḍanīti, and Social Order
Indra–Māndhātṛ Dialogue
आत्मत्याग: सर्वभूतानुकम्पा लोवज्ञानं पालन मोक्षणं च । विषण्णानां मोक्षणं पीडितानां क्षात्रे धर्मे विद्यते पार्थिवानाम्ू
ātmatyāgaḥ sarvabhūtānukampā lokavyavahārajñānaṁ pālanaṁ mokṣaṇaṁ ca | viṣaṇṇānāṁ mokṣaṇaṁ pīḍitānāṁ kṣātre dharme vidyate pārthivānām ||
Indra said: “Self-sacrifice in battle, compassion toward all living beings, understanding the ways of the world, protecting the people, and delivering the despondent and the oppressed from sorrow and suffering—these are all found within the kṣatriya’s dharma of kings. Such duties define righteous kingship: to risk oneself for the realm, to govern with discernment, and to become a refuge for those in distress.”
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines righteous kingship (kṣātra-dharma) as a blend of valor and compassion: a king must be ready for self-sacrifice, understand worldly affairs, protect the people, and actively rescue the distressed and oppressed.
Indra is speaking within the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, enumerating the essential qualities and obligations that belong to kings and warriors—especially their duty to protect and relieve suffering, not merely to wield power.