Shloka 55
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
व्यवहार: प्रजागोप्ता ब्रह्म॒ुदिष्टो युधिष्ठिर । त्रीन् धारयति लोकान् वै सत्यात्मा भूतिवर्धन:
vyavahāraḥ prajāgoptā brahmādiṣṭo yudhiṣṭhira | trīn dhārayati lokān vai satyātmā bhūtivardhanaḥ ||
Disse Bhishma: “Ó Yudhishthira, o sistema de governo justo—designado por Brahmā como protetor do povo—sustenta os três mundos. Por estar enraizado na verdade, faz crescer a prosperidade e o bem-estar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that righteous governance (vyavahāra) is not merely administrative technique but a dharmic institution: when grounded in truth and aimed at protecting subjects, it sustains social and cosmic order and leads to prosperity.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma addresses Yudhishthira, emphasizing that the people-protecting order of governance—said to be ordained by Brahmā—supports the stability of the three worlds and promotes welfare.