Shloka 108
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
अदण्ड्या मे द्विजाश्षेति प्रतिजानीहि हे विभो । लोकं च संकरात्कृत्स्नं त्रातास्मीति परंतप
adaṇḍyā me dvijāḥ syeti pratijānīhi he vibho | lokaṃ ca saṅkarāt kṛtsnaṃ trātāsmīti parantapa ||
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai yang perkasa, buatlah ikrar ini: ‘Demi aku, golongan dwija (Brahmana) hendaklah dikecualikan daripada hukuman; dan aku akan melindungi seluruh dunia daripada kekacauan sosial dan keruntuhan moral (saṅkara).’ Wahai pembakar musuh, jadikanlah ini sumpahmu yang suci.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames a kingly vow: uphold a special protective regard for the dvijas (especially Brahmins) and actively prevent saṅkara—social and moral disorder that disrupts dharma. The verse emphasizes restraint in punishment toward sacred social roles and the ruler’s duty to preserve ethical and societal coherence.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhishma addresses a powerful ruler/hero and urges him to make a formal pledge: that Brahmins will be treated as not liable to punishment in his regard, and that he will act as guardian of the world against the spread of varṇa- and dharma-confusion.