Shloka 13
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
सुप्रणीतेन दण्डेन प्रियाप्रियसमात्मना । प्रजा रक्षति य: सम्यग्धर्म एव स केवल:
supranītena daṇḍena priyāpriyasamātmanā | prajā rakṣati yaḥ samyag dharma eva sa kevalaḥ || prāg idaṃ vacanaṃ proktam ataḥ prāgvacanaṃ viduḥ | vyavahārasya cākhyānād vyavahāra iho cyate narendra ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang sinumang nagtatanggol sa bayan nang wasto—sa pamamagitan ng parusang mahusay na pinamamahalaan at ng isip na walang kinikilingan sa kaaya-aya man o di-kaaya-aya—siya lamang ang Dharma mismo. Ang aral na ito ay binigkas noong unang panahon; kaya ito’y kilala bilang ‘naunang pananalita’ (prāgvacana). At sapagkat inilalahad nito ang mga simulain ng vyavahāra—ang pamamaraang legal at paghatol—dito ito tinatawag na ‘Vyavahāra’, O hari.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king becomes the embodiment of Dharma when he protects his subjects through properly regulated punishment and strict impartiality—remaining even-minded toward the pleasant and the unpleasant. Justice must be administered without personal preference.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and law, Bhishma addresses the king (Yudhishthira), explaining an ancient authoritative dictum. He identifies the section as ‘Vyavahāra’ because it expounds judicial procedure and practical adjudication.