Shloka 22
Vyavahāra-Śuddhi and Rājadharma: Clean Administration, Counsel, and Proportional Punishment
Chapter 86
राज्ञो वधं चिकीर्षेद् यस्तस्य चित्रो वधो भवेत् | आदीपकस्य स्तेनस्य वर्णसंकरिकस्य च
bhīṣma uvāca | rājño vadhaṃ cikīrṣed yas tasya citro vadho bhavet | ādīpakasya stenasya varṇasaṅkarikasya ca |
Siapa pun yang berikhtiar membunuh raja—hendaklah eksekusinya dilakukan secara mencolok dan menjadi teladan. Demikian pula pembakar (pelaku pembakaran), pencuri, dan orang yang menimbulkan kekacauan tatanan sosial dengan menyebarkan percampuran golongan melalui laku terlarang—mereka adalah pelaku yang pembunuhannya diperintahkan dengan berbagai cara, demi melindungi kerajaan dan menegakkan dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In rājadharma, certain acts—attempting to kill the king, arson, theft, and conduct that destabilizes social order (varṇa-saṅkara)—are treated as grave threats to the realm; therefore, the punishment is prescribed as severe and exemplary to deter harm and protect dharma.
During Bhishma’s instruction on governance and law in the Śānti Parva, he lists categories of major offenders and states that those who endanger the king and public safety merit conspicuous, deterrent punishment.