Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 13
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
नादण्ड्यं दण्डयत्येष सुतमात्मद्विषामपि । दण्डयत्यात्मजमपि दण्ड्यं धर्मपथे स्थित: ॥ १३ ॥
nādaṇḍyaṁ daṇḍayaty eṣa sutam ātma-dviṣām api daṇḍayaty ātmajam api daṇḍyaṁ dharma-pathe sthitaḥ
Parce que ce roi demeurera sur la voie du dharma, il ne punira pas le fils de l’ennemi s’il n’est pas punissable; mais si son propre fils l’est, il le châtiera aussitôt. Dans la justice, il sera égal et sans favoritisme.
These are the characteristics of an impartial ruler. It is the duty of a ruler to punish the criminal and give protection to the innocent. King Pṛthu was so neutral that if his own son were punishable, he would not hesitate to punish him. On the other hand, if the son of his enemy were innocent, he would not engage in some intrigue in order to punish him.
FAQs
This verse praises a dharmic ruler as one who does not punish the innocent—even if related to enemies—and who punishes even his own son if he is truly punishable, showing impartiality rooted in dharma.
They highlight that Pṛthu’s rule is not driven by favoritism or hatred; his decisions are anchored in righteousness, so personal attachment does not override justice.
Apply the principle of fairness: avoid bias toward friends and family, protect the innocent, and hold everyone—including oneself and one’s close circle—accountable to the same ethical standards.