Shloka 21
न चाददीत वित्तानि सतां हस्तात् कदाचन । असदभ्यश्न॒ समादद्यात् सद्भधयस्तु प्रतिपादयेत्,साधुपुरुषोंके हाथसे कभी धन न छीने। असाधु पुरुषोंसे दण्डके रूपमें धन लेना चाहिये; साधु पुरुषोंको तो धन देना चाहिये
na cādadīta vittāni satāṁ hastāt kadācana | asadbhyaś ca samādad yāt sadbhyaḥ tu pratipādayet ||
Bhishma berkata: Jangan sekali-kali merampas harta dari tangan orang-orang bajik. Dari orang jahat, harta boleh diambil sebagai denda hukuman; tetapi kepada orang bajik, sepatutnya justru diberikan—ditopang, bukan disakiti.
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.