Shloka 69
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अदण्ड्यत्वं च विप्राणां युक्त्या दण्डनिपातनम् | अनुजीविस्वजातिभ्यो गुणेभ्यश्व समुद्भधव:ः
adaṇḍyatvaṃ ca viprāṇāṃ yuktyā daṇḍanipātanam | anujīvisvajātibhyo guṇebhyaś ca samudbhavaḥ ||
Bhishma dijo: «En esa enseñanza se declara que a los brahmanes no se les debe imponer castigo corporal; que a los culpables se les ha de aplicar la pena con razonamiento sólido y debido proceso; y que se debe promover el bienestar y el progreso de los dependientes, de la propia comunidad y de los hombres distinguidos por la virtud».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Punishment (daṇḍa) must be applied with discernment and justice: Brahmins are traditionally exempt from corporal chastisement, while wrongdoers should be punished through reasoned, lawful procedure; additionally, a ruler should actively foster the prosperity of dependents, one’s own community, and the virtuous.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and social order, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on how a ruler should administer punishment and protect society—balancing restraint toward Brahmins with firm, rational discipline for offenders and promoting the welfare of those under the ruler’s care.