Shloka 25
Vyavahāra-Śuddhi and Rājadharma: Clean Administration, Counsel, and Proportional Punishment
Chapter 86
न परस्य प्रवादेन परेषां दण्डमर्पयेत् । आगमानुगमं कृत्वा बध्नीयान्मोक्षयीत वा,राजा दूसरेके अपराधपर दूसरोंको दण्ड न दे, बल्कि शास्त्रके अनुसार विचार करके अपराध सिद्ध होता हो तो अपराधीको कैद करे और सिद्ध न होता हो तो उसे मुक्त कर दे
na parasya pravādena pareṣāṁ daṇḍam arpayet | āgamānugamaṁ kṛtvā badhnīyān mokṣayīta vā |
न परस्य प्रवादेन परेषां दण्डमर्पयेत् । आगमानुगमं कृत्वा बध्नीयान्मोक्षयीत वा ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Punishment must be based on verified guilt and śāstra-guided procedure, not on mere accusation or rumor; if guilt is established, restrain the offender, and if not, release him.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on just governance, emphasizing careful inquiry and lawful procedure before imprisoning or freeing an accused person.