Shloka 21
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
न चाददीत वित्तानि सतां हस्तात् कदाचन । असदभ्यश्न॒ समादद्यात् सद्भधयस्तु प्रतिपादयेत्
na cādadīta vittāni satāṁ hastāt kadācana | asadbhyaś ca samādad yāt sadbhyaḥ tu pratipādayet ||
Bhishma dit : On ne doit jamais saisir des richesses des mains des vertueux. Des méchants, en revanche, on peut prélever des biens à titre d’exaction punitive; mais aux vertueux, il convient plutôt de donner—les soutenir au lieu de leur nuire. La leçon morale est que la punition et la prise coercitive servent à réfréner le mal, non à exploiter les gens de bien.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Coercive taking of wealth is justified only as punishment from wrongdoers; the virtuous should never be exploited and should instead be supported through giving.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhishma advises the ruler/listener on just conduct regarding wealth: avoid harming the good, restrain the wicked through penalties, and uphold the virtuous by providing aid.