Shloka 77
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
यदि राजा दण्डनीतिका उत्तम रीतिसे प्रयोग करे तो वह चारों वर्णोकी अपने-अपने धर्ममें बलपूर्वक लगाती है और उन्हें अधर्मकी ओर जानेसे रोक देती है ।।
cāturvarṇye svakarmasthe maryādānām asaṅkare | daṇḍanītikṛte kṣeme prajānām akuto bhaye ||
Bhishma said: When a king applies daṇḍanīti—the science of punishment and governance—in the best manner, it powerfully keeps the four varṇas established in their own duties and restrains them from turning toward adharma. Thus, through the efficacy of daṇḍanīti, when the four varṇas remain engaged in their proper work and the boundaries of dharma do not become confused, the people live securely—fearless on all sides and prospering. In such a condition, the three twice-born orders duly pursue the protection of health and well-being. O Yudhiṣṭhira, in this lies human happiness; you should understand this.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Good governance (daṇḍanīti) is meant to secure dharma by keeping people established in their proper duties, preventing social and moral confusion, and thereby creating public fearlessness and welfare; this stable order is presented as a basis for human happiness.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on statecraft and dharma, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, explaining how a king’s proper use of punishment and policy maintains social order (cāturvarṇya in svakarma), prevents dharma-boundaries from collapsing, and ensures the people’s security and prosperity.