Shloka 25
Vyavahāra-Śuddhi and Rājadharma: Clean Administration, Counsel, and Proportional Punishment
Chapter 86
न परस्य प्रवादेन परेषां दण्डमर्पयेत् । आगमानुगमं कृत्वा बध्नीयान्मोक्षयीत वा
na parasya pravādena pareṣāṁ daṇḍam arpayet | āgamānugamaṁ kṛtvā badhnīyān mokṣayīta vā |
Seorang raja tidak boleh menjatuhkan hukuman kepada orang hanya berdasarkan tuduhan pihak lain. Setelah meneliti perkara menurut ajaran śāstra dan tata cara yang sah, bila pelanggaran terbukti hendaknya ia menahan pelakunya; bila tidak terbukti, hendaknya ia membebaskannya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Punishment must be based on verified guilt and śāstra-guided procedure, not on mere accusation or rumor; if guilt is established, restrain the offender, and if not, release him.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on just governance, emphasizing careful inquiry and lawful procedure before imprisoning or freeing an accused person.