Shloka 8
उतथ्योपदेशः—राजधर्मः, दर्पनिग्रहः, प्रजारक्षणम्
Utathya’s Instruction: Royal Dharma, Restraint of Pride, Protection of Subjects
उच्छिद्यते धर्मवृत्तमधर्मो वर्तते महान् भयमाहुर्दिवारात्रं यदा पापो न वार्यते
ucchidyate dharmavṛttam adharmo vartate mahān | bhayam āhur divārātraṁ yadā pāpo na vāryate ||
Utathya said: When wrongdoing is not restrained, the very practice of dharma is cut off. Then great adharma spreads everywhere, and people are said to live in fear day and night.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
If wrongdoing is not actively restrained, dharma as lived conduct collapses; unchecked adharma expands and produces continuous public insecurity. The verse stresses the ethical duty of prevention and correction, not mere condemnation.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace, order, and right rule, the sage Utathya warns that tolerating sin or failing to curb wrongdoers leads to the breakdown of righteous practice and creates pervasive fear among the people.