Shloka 8
Adhyāya 90 — Protection of Livelihoods, Brahmanical Subsistence Norms, and Royal Oversight (राष्ट्रवृत्ति-राष्ट्रगुप्ति-उपदेशः)
तस्यां प्रवर्तमानायां ये स्युस्तत्परिपन्थिन: । दस्यवस्तद्व धायेह ब्रह्मा क्षत्रमथासृजत्,जो लोग उस वेदविद्याके अध्ययनाध्यापनमें अथवा वेदोक्त यज्ञ-यागादि कर्मोमें बाधा पहुँचाते हैं, वे डकैत हैं। उन डाकुओंका वध करनेके लिये ही ब्रह्माजीने क्षत्रिय जातिकी सृष्टि की है
tasyāṃ pravartamānāyāṃ ye syus tat-paripanthinaḥ | dasyavas tad-vadhāyeha brahmā kṣatram athāsṛjat ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—“ବେଦବିଦ୍ୟାର ଅଧ୍ୟୟନ-ଅଧ୍ୟାପନ ଓ ବେଦୋକ୍ତ ଯଜ୍ଞକର୍ମ ଚାଲିଥିବାବେଳେ ଯେମାନେ ତାହାରେ ବାଧା ଦିଅନ୍ତି, ସେମାନେ ଦସ୍ୟୁ ସମାନ। ଏମିତି ଲୁଟେରାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦମନ ଓ ବଧ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ହିଁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ଏହି ଲୋକରେ କ୍ଷତ୍ରିୟବର୍ଗକୁ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିଥିଲେ।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the Kṣatriya’s raison d’être as the protection of Vedic learning and Veda-based sacrificial order; those who violently obstruct these are labeled 'dasyu' and are to be restrained—even killed—so that dharma and social stability are preserved.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhīṣma explains to Yudhiṣṭhira why the warrior-royal class exists: Brahmā instituted kṣatra (royal power) to counter disruptive forces that hinder Vedic study, teaching, and ritual performance.