Shloka 107
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
यश्षात्र धर्मो नित्योक्तो दण्डनीतिव्यपाश्रय: | तमशड्ुक: करिष्यामि स्ववशो न कदाचन
yaḥ kṣātra-dharmo nityokto daṇḍanīti-vyapāśrayaḥ | tam aśaṅkaḥ kariṣyāmi svavaśo na kadācana ||
Bhishma dit : «Ce devoir éternel du kshatriya, tel qu’il a été proclamé—reposant sur la daṇḍanīti, la science du châtiment et du gouvernement—je le suivrai sans hésitation. Jamais je n’agirai par simple volonté propre ou caprice.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler/warrior must adhere to kṣātra-dharma grounded in daṇḍanīti—lawful governance and disciplined use of authority—rather than acting from personal whim.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhīṣma affirms his commitment to the established, enduring royal duty tied to statecraft and punishment-policy, pledging not to become arbitrary or self-indulgent.