Shloka 38
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
भृगुर्ददावृषिभ्यस्तु दण्डं धर्मसमाहितम् । ऋषयो लोकपालेभ्यो लोकपाला: क्षुपाय च
bhṛgur dadāv ṛṣibhyas tu daṇḍaṃ dharmasamāhitam | ṛṣayo lokapālebhyo lokapālāḥ kṣupāya ca ||
婆苏诃罗摩说道：婆利古（Bhṛgu）将安立于正法之中的惩戒之杖（daṇḍa）托付诸圣仙。圣仙们又传与诸世界护法（Lokapāla），而诸护法继而交付给刹优波（Kṣupa）。此处叙述的是为护持微妙之法与世间秩序而设的权柄，如何在正当的传递中延续。
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate power to punish (daṇḍa) is not mere force; it must be dharma-grounded and transmitted through rightful custodians (sages, cosmic guardians, and kings). Authority is ethical only when it protects order and subtle righteousness rather than serving personal desire.
Vasuharoma recounts a lineage of custody: Bhṛgu gives the dharma-aligned daṇḍa to the ṛṣis; they pass it to the lokapālas; the lokapālas pass it to Kṣupa. The verse situates royal governance within a sacred, regulated chain of responsibility.