Kṣātra-Dharma, Daṇḍanīti, and Social Order
Indra–Māndhātṛ Dialogue
पुत्रवत् पाल्यमानानि राजधर्मेण पार्थिवै: । लोके भूतानि सर्वाणि चरन्ते नात्र संशय:,राजाओंसे राजधर्मके द्वारा पुत्रकी भाँति पालित होनेवाले जगतके सम्पूर्ण प्राणी निर्भय विचरते हैं, इसमें संशय नहीं है
putravat pālyamānāni rājadharmeṇa pārthivaiḥ | loke bhūtāni sarvāṇi carante nātra saṃśayaḥ ||
इन्द्र उवाच—राजधर्मेण पार्थिवैः पुत्रवत् पाल्यमानानि लोके सर्वभूतानि निर्भयम् चरन्ति; नात्र संशयः।
इन्द्र उवाच
Rājadharma is fundamentally protective: a king must care for all beings as a father cares for his child, creating a condition of public fearlessness and stability.
Indra is speaking within the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, emphasizing that when rulers follow the duties of kingship, society becomes secure and beings can live and move about without fear.