Shloka 13
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
सुप्रणीतेन दण्डेन प्रियाप्रियसमात्मना । प्रजा रक्षति य: सम्यग्धर्म एव स केवल:
supranītena daṇḍena priyāpriyasamātmanā | prajā rakṣati yaḥ samyag dharma eva sa kevalaḥ || prāg idaṃ vacanaṃ proktam ataḥ prāgvacanaṃ viduḥ | vyavahārasya cākhyānād vyavahāra iho cyate narendra ||
ビーシュマは言った。「よく治められた刑罰をもって、また快と不快に対して偏りなき心をもって、民を正しく守る者—その者ただ一人が、ダルマそのものである。この教えは太古にすでに説かれたゆえ、『先の言葉』（prāgvacana）と呼ばれる。また、訴訟・裁断の法（vyavahāra）を明らかにするがゆえに、ここでは『ヴ்யヴァハーラ』と称されるのだ、大王よ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king becomes the embodiment of Dharma when he protects his subjects through properly regulated punishment and strict impartiality—remaining even-minded toward the pleasant and the unpleasant. Justice must be administered without personal preference.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and law, Bhishma addresses the king (Yudhishthira), explaining an ancient authoritative dictum. He identifies the section as ‘Vyavahāra’ because it expounds judicial procedure and practical adjudication.