Shloka 32
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
त्रायते हि यदा सर्व वाचा कायेन कर्मणा । पुत्रस्थापि न मृष्येच्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते,जब वह मन, वाणी और शरीरके द्वारा सबकी रक्षा करता है और पुत्रके भी अपराधको क्षमा नहीं करता, तब उसका वह बर्ताव भी 'राजाका धर्म” कहा जाता है
trāyate hi yadā sarvaṁ vācā kāyena karmaṇā | putrasthāpi na mṛṣyec ca sa rājño dharma ucyate ||
Dijo Utatthya: Cuando un rey protege a todos—con su palabra, con su conducta corporal y con sus actos—y aun en el caso de su propio hijo no tolera la falta, ese modo de proceder es llamado el dharma del rey. El verso presenta el deber real como tutela imparcial: la compasión se expresa en la protección de todos, y la justicia en no excusar el delito por razón de parentesco.
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal dharma requires two complementary virtues: universal protection of the people (through word, conduct, and action) and impartial justice, meaning a ruler must not excuse wrongdoing even when committed by his own son.
In a discourse on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, Utathya defines the king’s proper conduct: he must act as protector of all and uphold law without nepotism, presenting this as the standard of righteous kingship.