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 ||
毗湿摩说道：“能以善治之刑罚，并以对可喜与不可喜皆不偏的心，正当地护持百姓者——唯有此人，便是法（Dharma）本身。此教诲在上古已被宣说，因此称为‘先言’（prāgvacana）。又因其阐明了诉讼裁断与法度程序之理（vyavahāra），故在此称之为‘毗耶婆诃罗’（Vyavahāra），大王啊。”
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.