Shloka 31
Adhyāya 33 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Post-Conflict Remorse and Inquiry on Āśrama Discipline (शोक-विमर्शः, आश्रम-जिज्ञासा)
जो धर्मका विनाश चाहते हुए अधर्मके प्रवर्तक हो रहे हों
ekaṃ hatvā yadi kule śiṣṭānāṃ syād anāmayam | kulaṃ hatvā ca rāṣṭraṃ ca na tad vṛttopaghātakam ||
毗耶娑说：若杀一人而使一家之中其余端正之人得免苦患；若灭一族之腐败而使一国尽得安宁康泰，则此举并非败坏正行。其伦理要旨在于：为防达摩（dharma）倾覆、为护多数免受少数之害而动用武力，本身并不等同于毁德——只要它所指向的是那些积极鼓动阿达摩（adharma）之人。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a single harmful agent or a corrupt group threatens the welfare of the righteous and the stability of society, removing that source of harm—though severe—need not be a breach of dharma, because it aims at protecting right conduct and the greater good.
Vyāsa is articulating a principle of moral and political judgment in the Śānti Parva: the legitimacy of punitive action against those who promote adharma, arguing that safeguarding the many and preserving social order can justify harsh measures against a few.