Shloka 12
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
युधिछिर उवाच अथ तात यदा सर्वा: शस्त्रमाददते प्रजा: । व्युत्क्रामन्ति स्वधर्मेभ्य: क्षत्रस्य क्षीयते बलम्,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--तात! नरेश्वर! यदि सारी प्रजा शस्त्र धारण कर ले और अपने धर्मसे गिर जाय, उस समय क्षत्रियकी शक्ति तो क्षीण हो जायगी। फिर राजा राष्ट्रकी रक्षा कैसे कर सकता है और वह सब लोगोंको किस तरह शरण दे सकता है। मेरे इस संदेहका आप विस्तारपूर्वक समाधान करें
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca atha tāta yadā sarvāḥ śastram ādadate prajāḥ | vyutkrāmanti svadharmebhyaḥ kṣatrasya kṣīyate balam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Then, revered sir, when all the people take up weapons and stray from their own ordained duties, the strength of the kṣatra (the royal, protective order) is diminished. In such a situation, how can a king protect the realm, and how can he grant refuge to all? Please resolve this doubt of mine in detail.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a rajadharma problem: if the populace abandons its own duties and becomes militarized, the distinct protective function of kṣatra weakens. Yudhiṣṭhira asks how legitimate authority can still safeguard the realm and offer refuge—implying that social stability depends on each group adhering to its svadharma and on the king’s disciplined, principled use of force.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a practical doubt to an elder teacher: when disorder spreads and everyone takes up weapons, the king’s power seems undermined. He requests a detailed explanation of how a ruler can maintain protection and provide asylum under such conditions.