Shloka 41
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
व्यद्भत्वं व शरीरस्य वधो नाल््पस्य कारणात् । शरीरपीडास्तास्ताश्च देहत्यागो विवासनम्
vyadbhutvaṃ ca śarīrasya vadho nālpasya kāraṇāt | śarīrapīḍās tāstāś ca dehatyāgo vivāsanam ||
Vasuharoma berkata: Bagi suatu kesalahan kecil, tidaklah wajar mencacatkan tubuh seseorang, apatah lagi membunuhnya. Tidak juga wajar mengenakan pelbagai seksaan jasmani, memaksa hingga dia terdesak meninggalkan nyawa, atau membuangnya dari negeri. Hukuman hendaklah sepadan dan berperikemanusiaan, terutama dalam pemerintahan terhadap rakyat.
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Punishment should be proportionate to the offence; for minor faults, extreme penalties—mutilation, execution, torture, coercing death, or banishment—are unethical and contrary to righteous governance.
In the Shanti Parva’s rājadharma discussion, Vasuharoma articulates a standard for kings and rulers: they must not respond to small transgressions with harsh, violent punishments that destroy a subject’s body, life, or livelihood.