Shloka 42
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
धर्माभिचारिण: पापाक्षौरा लोकस्य कण्टका: । समागच्छन्ति तान् बुद्धवा नियच्छेच्छमयीत च
dharmābhicāriṇaḥ pāpākṣaurā lokasya kaṇṭakāḥ | samāgacchanti tān buddhvā niyacchec chamayīta ca ||
धर्माभिचारिणः पापाः चौराः लोकस्य कण्टकाः । समागच्छन्ति तान् बुद्ध्वा नियच्छेच्छमयीत च ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must protect society from hypocrites and criminals who cloak themselves in the appearance of dharma; after identifying them, he should restrain them through detention or deterrent punishment so their harmful conduct is checked.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on righteous governance in the Śānti Parva, he advises the king on dealing with disruptive elements—those who enter in disguise and harm society—by investigation, restraint, and corrective deterrence.