Shloka 41
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
दुर्गाणां चाभितो राजा मूलच्छेदं प्रकारयेत् । सर्वेषां क्षुद्रवृक्षाणां चैत्यवृक्षान् विवर्जयेत्,जो छोटे-छोटे दुर्ग हों (जिनमें शत्रुओंके छिपनेकी सम्भावना हो), उन सबका राजा मूलोच्छेद करा डाले और चैत्य (देवालय सम्बन्धी) वृक्षोंकोी छोड़कर अन्य सभी छोटे-छोटे वृक्षोंको कटवा दे
durgāṇāṃ cābhito rājā mūlacchedaṃ prakārayet | sarveṣāṃ kṣudravṛkṣāṇāṃ caityavṛkṣān vivarjayet ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Dapat ipapagiba ng hari, hanggang sa pinakaugat, ang maliliit na kuta at mga taguan sa paligid ng kanyang nasasakupan. Gayundin, ipapaputol niya ang lahat ng mabababang puno at masukal na palumpong—maliban sa mga sagradong punong ‘caitya’ na kaugnay ng mga dambana—upang walang mapagtakpan ang kaaway.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must remove potential cover and hidden refuges that could aid enemies, but should still respect religious sanctity by sparing sacred caitya-associated trees—balancing security with dharmic restraint.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma in Śānti Parva, he advises practical measures for protecting the kingdom: clearing nearby strongholds and undergrowth that could conceal hostile forces, while exempting trees regarded as sacred.