Shloka 41
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
दुर्गाणां चाभितो राजा मूलच्छेदं प्रकारयेत् । सर्वेषां क्षुद्रवृक्षाणां चैत्यवृक्षान् विवर्जयेत्
durgāṇāṃ cābhito rājā mūlacchedaṃ prakārayet | sarveṣāṃ kṣudravṛkṣāṇāṃ caityavṛkṣān vivarjayet ||
भीष्म ने कहा— राजा अपने दुर्गों के चारों ओर जो छोटे-छोटे दुर्ग या छिपने के स्थान हों, उनका मूलोच्छेद करवा दे। इसी प्रकार चैत्य (देवालय-संबद्ध) वृक्षों को छोड़कर, अन्य सभी छोटे-झाड़-झंखाड़ और नीचले वृक्ष कटवा दे, ताकि शत्रु को आड़ न मिले और पवित्रता भी भंग न हो।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must remove potential cover and hidden refuges that could aid enemies, but should still respect religious sanctity by sparing sacred caitya-associated trees—balancing security with dharmic restraint.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma in Śānti Parva, he advises practical measures for protecting the kingdom: clearing nearby strongholds and undergrowth that could conceal hostile forces, while exempting trees regarded as sacred.