Shloka 18
मोक्षोपाय-निर्णयः
Determination of the Means to Liberation
अहन्यमानेषु पुनः सर्वमेव पराभवेत् । पूर्वे पूर्वतरे चैव सुशास्या हुभवन् जना:
ahanyamāneṣu punaḥ sarvam eva parābhavet | pūrve pūrvataraś caiva suśāsyā hubhavan janāḥ ||
Si l’on ne retient ni ne corrige les hommes lorsqu’ils font le mal, avec le temps tout est voué à la ruine. C’est pourquoi ceux qui sont venus avant—et ceux qui sont plus âgés encore—doivent être bien gouvernés et justement disciplinés, afin que l’ordre et la prospérité ne s’effondrent pas.
हुमत्सेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A society collapses when wrongdoing is left unchecked; ethical governance requires timely restraint and discipline, especially among influential or senior members whose conduct sets the standard for all.
Humatsena is advising on principles of rule and social stability, warning that failure to correct misconduct leads to general ruin, and emphasizing the need to govern and discipline even elders and senior persons for the sake of dharma.