Shloka 45
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
यदा त्वधार्मिकान् सर्वास्ती&#णैर्दण्डैर्नियच्छति । धार्मिकांश्चानुगृह्लाति भवत्यथ यमस्तदा,जब वह कठोर दण्डके द्वारा समस्त अधार्मिक पुरुषोंको काबूमें करके सन्मार्गपर लाता है और धर्मात्माओंपर अनुग्रह करता है, उस समय वह यमराज माना जाता है
yadā tv adhārmikān sarvās tīvrāir daṇḍair niyacchati | dhārmikāṁś cānugṛhṇāti bhavaty atha yamas tadā ||
When he restrains all unrighteous people with severe punishments—bringing them under control and back to the right path—and when he shows favor to the righteous, then at that time he is regarded as Yama, the lord of justice.
वसुमना उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines the ethical function of authority: firm punishment (daṇḍa) must restrain wrongdoing and guide the unrighteous back toward dharma, while the righteous deserve protection and favor. When governance performs this balancing act of correction and support, it embodies Yama—impartial moral regulation.
Vasumanā is explaining a criterion by which a ruler or governing power is identified with Yama: when it forcefully checks adharmic conduct through strict penalties and simultaneously grants protection and grace to dharmic people, it is functioning as the cosmic judge.