Shloka 41
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
व्यद्भत्वं व शरीरस्य वधो नाल््पस्य कारणात् । शरीरपीडास्तास्ताश्च देहत्यागो विवासनम्
vyadbhutvaṃ ca śarīrasya vadho nālpasya kāraṇāt | śarīrapīḍās tāstāś ca dehatyāgo vivāsanam ||
婆苏诃罗摩说道：因微小之过而残毁其身，不可；因微小之过而处死之，亦不可。以种种肉刑加诸其体，逼迫至弃命之境，或逐出国土，皆非正当。治民之罚，当合乎分寸，且须仁恕，尤以为政者为然。
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Punishment should be proportionate to the offence; for minor faults, extreme penalties—mutilation, execution, torture, coercing death, or banishment—are unethical and contrary to righteous governance.
In the Shanti Parva’s rājadharma discussion, Vasuharoma articulates a standard for kings and rulers: they must not respond to small transgressions with harsh, violent punishments that destroy a subject’s body, life, or livelihood.