Shloka 27
Kṣātra-Dharma, Daṇḍanīti, and Social Order
Indra–Māndhātṛ Dialogue
आत्मत्याग: सर्वभूतानुकम्पा लोवज्ञानं पालन मोक्षणं च । विषण्णानां मोक्षणं पीडितानां क्षात्रे धर्मे विद्यते पार्थिवानाम्ू,युद्धमें अपने शरीरकी आहुति देना, समस्त प्राणियोंपर दया करना, लोकव्यवहारका ज्ञान प्राप्त करना, प्रजाकी रक्षा करना, विषादग्रस्त एवं पीड़ित मनुष्योंको दुःख और कष्टसे छुड़ाना--ये सब बातें राजाओंके क्षात्रधर्ममें ही विद्यमान हैं
ātmatyāgaḥ sarvabhūtānukampā lokavyavahārajñānaṁ pālanaṁ mokṣaṇaṁ ca | viṣaṇṇānāṁ mokṣaṇaṁ pīḍitānāṁ kṣātre dharme vidyate pārthivānām ||
Disse Indra: “O auto-sacrifício na batalha, a compaixão por todos os seres, o entendimento dos caminhos do mundo, a proteção do povo e o livramento dos desalentados e oprimidos da tristeza e do sofrimento—tudo isso se encontra no dharma kṣatriya dos reis. Tais deveres definem a realeza justa: arriscar-se pelo reino, governar com discernimento e tornar-se refúgio para os aflitos.”
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines righteous kingship (kṣātra-dharma) as a blend of valor and compassion: a king must be ready for self-sacrifice, understand worldly affairs, protect the people, and actively rescue the distressed and oppressed.
Indra is speaking within the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma, enumerating the essential qualities and obligations that belong to kings and warriors—especially their duty to protect and relieve suffering, not merely to wield power.