Shloka 49
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
तदण्डविन्नूषप: प्राज्ञ: शूर: शक्नोति रक्षितुम् । न हि शक््यमदण्डेन क्लीबेनाबुद्धिनापि वा,राज्यकी रक्षा तो वही राजा कर सकता है, जो बुद्धिमान् और शूरवीर होनेके साथ ही दण्ड देनेकी नीतिको भी जानता हो। जो दण्ड देनेसे हिचकता हो, वह नपुंसक और बुद्धिहीन नरेश कदापि राज्यकी रक्षा नहीं कर सकता
taddaṇḍavinnūṣapaḥ prājñaḥ śūraḥ śaknoti rakṣitum | na hi śakyam adaṇḍena klībena abuddhināpi vā ||
Utathya said: Only that wise and valiant ruler who understands the proper use of punishment (daṇḍa) is able to protect the kingdom. For a realm cannot be safeguarded by one who is without punishment—nor by a timid, unmanly, or unintelligent king who shrinks from enforcing discipline.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kingdom is protected only by a ruler who is both wise and courageous and who knows how to apply daṇḍa (punitive authority) appropriately; reluctance to enforce discipline makes governance ineffective.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, the sage Utathya teaches principles of kingship, emphasizing that effective protection of the realm requires informed and resolute use of punishment and law-enforcement.