Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 50
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
धर्मेणापि सदा राजन् प्रजा रक्षितुमरहसि । यस्तस्य विपुलो दण्ड: सम्यग्धर्म: स कीर्त्यते
dharmeṇāpi sadā rājan prajā rakṣitum arhasi | yas tasya vipulo daṇḍaḥ samyag-dharmaḥ sa kīrtyate ||
毗湿摩说道：“大王啊，你当常以法（dharma）护民。为此而施以强而有效的刑罚——若其用之得当——本身便称为真正的法。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s primary duty is the protection of the people, and the rightful, well-judged application of punishment (daṇḍa) for public order is not opposed to dharma; when used properly for prajā-rakṣaṇa, it is itself ‘true dharma.’
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira) on governance and ethical rule, emphasizing that maintaining order through appropriate discipline is part of righteous kingship.