Shloka 35
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
दण्डेन रक्ष्यमाणा हि राजन्नहरह: प्रजा: । राजानं वर्धयन्तीह तस्माद् दण्ड: परायणम्
daṇḍena rakṣyamāṇā hi rājan aharahaḥ prajāḥ | rājānaṁ vardhayantīha tasmād daṇḍaḥ parāyaṇam, rājan ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: O hari, tanging kapag ang mga mamamayan ay napangangalagaan araw-araw sa pamamagitan ng daṇḍa (makatarungang kapangyarihang magparusa) saka sila uunlad; at sila rin ang patuloy na nagpapalakas sa hari sa daigdig na ito—sa yaman, sa ani ng palay, at sa kanilang pag-alalay. Kaya, O hari, ang daṇḍa ang sukdulang kanlungan at saligang nagtataguyod sa lahat.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s foremost duty is to protect society through just enforcement (daṇḍa). When law and punishment restrain wrongdoing, the people flourish and naturally sustain the kingdom; thus daṇḍa is presented as the essential support of governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma addresses the king (Yudhiṣṭhira) and explains why the ruler must maintain order: protected subjects prosper and thereby enrich and strengthen the ruler and the realm.