Shloka 15
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
दुर्बलांस्तात बृध्येथा नित्यमेवाविमानितान् । मा त्वां दुर्बलचक्षूंषि प्रदहेयु: सबान्धवम्,तात! तुम दुर्बल प्राणियोंको सदा ही अपमानका पात्र न समझना, दुर्बलोंकी आँखें तुम्हें बन्धु-बान्धवों-सहित जलाकर भस्म न कर डालें, इसके लिये सदा सावधान रहना
durbalāṁs tāta bṛdhyethā nityam evāvimānitān | mā tvāṁ durbalacakṣūṁṣi pradheyur sabāndhavam, tāta ||
Utathya said: “Dear child, always treat the weak with consideration and do not regard them as fit for contempt. Be ever vigilant, lest the gaze of the oppressed and powerless burn you to ashes—together with your kinsmen.”
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should never despise the weak; ethical power requires protecting and honoring those without strength, because contempt for the vulnerable brings grave moral and karmic consequences.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, the sage Utathya addresses a younger listener (likely a ruler or prince) and warns him to support the weak and avoid humiliating them, emphasizing that the suffering and resentment of the oppressed can become a destructive force.