Shloka 19
Adhyāya 142: Cyavana, the Devas’ Arrogance, and Vāyu’s Counsel on Protecting Brāhmaṇas
मनो: पुत्रश्न सुद्युम्नो लिखिताय महात्मने । दण्डमुद्धृत्य धर्मेण गतो लोकाननुत्तमान्,मनुपुत्र राजा सुद्युम्न महात्मा लिखितको धर्मतः दण्ड देकर परम उत्तम लोकोंमें गये
Manoḥ putraḥ sa Sudyumno Likhitāya mahātmane | daṇḍam uddhṛtya dharmeṇa gato lokān anuttamān ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Sudyumna, putera Manu dan seorang raja, setelah menegakkan daṇḍa—kuasa hukuman—menurut dharma, mencapai alam-alam yang tiada bandingan; demikian juga Likhita yang berhati agung, melalui kelakuan yang benar dan penggunaan wibawa yang sewajarnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the rightful exercise of authority—especially punishment (daṇḍa) administered strictly according to dharma—becomes a source of merit, leading to exalted spiritual results rather than moral downfall.
Bhishma cites exemplary figures—Sudyumna (son of Manu) and the noble Likhita—to illustrate that those who uphold dharma through proper governance and disciplined justice attain the highest realms.