Shloka 108
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अदण्ड्या मे द्विजाश्षेति प्रतिजानीहि हे विभो । लोकं च संकरात्कृत्स्नं त्रातास्मीति परंतप
adaṇḍyā me dvijāḥ syeti pratijānīhi he vibho | lokaṃ ca saṅkarāt kṛtsnaṃ trātāsmīti parantapa ||
Dijo Bhishma: «Oh poderoso, haz este voto: “Por mi causa, los dos veces nacidos (los bráhmanas) quedarán exentos de castigo; y yo protegeré al mundo entero de la confusión social y moral (saṅkara)”. Oh abrasador de enemigos, que ésta sea tu solemne promesa».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames a kingly vow: uphold a special protective regard for the dvijas (especially Brahmins) and actively prevent saṅkara—social and moral disorder that disrupts dharma. The verse emphasizes restraint in punishment toward sacred social roles and the ruler’s duty to preserve ethical and societal coherence.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhishma addresses a powerful ruler/hero and urges him to make a formal pledge: that Brahmins will be treated as not liable to punishment in his regard, and that he will act as guardian of the world against the spread of varṇa- and dharma-confusion.