Shloka 6
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
यस्मिन्नर्थे हितं॑ यत् स्यात् तद्धर्ण रूपमादिशेत् | बहुरूपस्य राज्ञो हि सूक्ष्मो5प्यर्थों न सीदति
yasminn arthe hitaṃ yat syāt tad dharma-rūpam ādiśet | bahu-rūpasya rājño hi sūkṣmo 'py artho na sīdati ||
毗湿摩说道：“凡所行之事，若其中确有真实之利，君王便应以法（达摩）之‘形’来呈现——采取最契合此善利的姿态。因为能随宜具多种形相的君主，连细微之事也不致败坏：惩治罪恶时可显严厉，护佑并施恩于困苦者时则当显温和。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should frame and execute actions in a dharmic manner suited to the situation—stern when restraining wrongdoing, gentle when protecting the vulnerable—because adaptable, context-appropriate conduct prevents even small affairs from going wrong.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rajadharma in the Shanti Parva, he advises the king on effective ethical governance: the king must adopt different outward ‘forms’ or demeanors according to what truly serves welfare, so that administration remains successful.