Shloka 69
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
असिना धर्मगर्भेण पालयस्व प्रजा इति । तलवार देकर उन्होंने मनुसे कहा--“तुम मनुष्योंके शासक हो; अतः इस धर्मगर्भित खड्गसे प्रजाका पालन करो || ६८ $ || धर्मसेतुमतिक्रान्ता: स्थूलसूक्ष्मात्मकारणात्
asina dharmagarbheṇa pālayasva prajā iti |
ビーシュマは言った。「この剣はダルマを宿す。これをもって民を守れ。」こうして刃を授け、彼らはマヌに教えた。統治者の権威は私欲のためにあるのではなく、臣民を正しく護るためにある。粗大な身や微細な自己を悦ばせるためにダルマの境を踏み越える者は、相応に区別された刑罰によって抑えねばならぬ。万民の保護はダルマに従って行い、恣意や偏頗を許してはならない。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal power (symbolized by the sword) is legitimate only when it is ‘dharma-garbha’—used to protect subjects and uphold moral order. Punishment must be just, proportionate, and free from personal whim.
Bhishma recounts a traditional instruction given to Manu: he is entrusted with a sword and commanded to rule by dharma, protecting the people and restraining transgressors through appropriate penalties.