Shloka 12
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
यथोक्तमेतद् वचन प्रागेव मनुना पुरा । यन्मयोक्तं मनुष्येन्द्र ब्रह्मणो वचन महत्
bhīṣma uvāca | yathoktam etad vacanaṃ prāg eva manunā purā | yan mayoktaṃ manuṣyendra brahmaṇo vacanaṃ mahat ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ହେ ମନୁଷ୍ୟେନ୍ଦ୍ର, ଏହି ବଚନ ମନୁ ପୂର୍ବେ ହିଁ କହିଥିଲେ। ମୁଁ ଯାହା କହିଛି, ତାହା ବ୍ରହ୍ମାଙ୍କ ମହାବଚନ। ମନୁ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଉଚ୍ଚାରଣ କରିଥିବାରୁ ଏହାକୁ ‘ପ୍ରାଗ୍ବଚନ’ ବୋଲି ମଧ୍ୟ ଜାଣନ୍ତି; ଏବଂ ଏଥିରେ ବ୍ୟବହାର—ଲୋକାଚାର ଓ ନ୍ୟାୟ-ପ୍ରକ୍ରିୟା—ର ପ୍ରତିପାଦନ ଥିବାରୁ ଏଠାରେ ଏହାକୁ ‘ବ୍ୟବହାର’ କୁହାଯାଏ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma grounds his instruction in recognized authority: the same rule was taught earlier by Manu and ultimately reflects Brahmā’s great pronouncement. Because it guides practical dealings and adjudication, it is classified under vyavahāra—dharma as applied to real-world conduct and legal order.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Bhishma continues advising the king (Yudhiṣṭhira). Here he clarifies that his present teaching is not novel: it is an ancient doctrine already stated by Manu and traceable to Brahmā, thereby reinforcing its legitimacy for governance and social/legal practice.