Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
दुर्गाणां चाभितो राजा मूलच्छेदं प्रकारयेत् । सर्वेषां क्षुद्रवृक्षाणां चैत्यवृक्षान् विवर्जयेत्
durgāṇāṃ cābhito rājā mūlacchedaṃ prakārayet | sarveṣāṃ kṣudravṛkṣāṇāṃ caityavṛkṣān vivarjayet ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王は領内の周囲にある小さな砦や隠れ場所を、根こそぎにして破壊させよ。また、低い灌木や小木はすべて伐り払わせよ—ただし祠(チャイティヤ)に結びつく聖なる『チャイティヤ樹』だけは除く—敵に身を隠す蔭を与えぬためである。」
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler must remove potential cover and hidden refuges that could aid enemies, but should still respect religious sanctity by sparing sacred caitya-associated trees—balancing security with dharmic restraint.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma in Śānti Parva, he advises practical measures for protecting the kingdom: clearing nearby strongholds and undergrowth that could conceal hostile forces, while exempting trees regarded as sacred.