Shloka 31
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
मोक्षस्यास्ति त्रिवर्गोडन्य: प्रोक्त: सत्त्वं रजस्तम: । स्थान वृद्धि: क्षयश्वैव त्रिवर्गश्वैव दण्डज:
bhīṣma uvāca | mokṣasyāsti trivargo 'nyaḥ proktaḥ sattvaṁ rajas tamaḥ | sthānaṁ vṛddhiḥ kṣayaś caiva trivargaś caiva daṇḍajaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“除解脱之外，另有一组三分之说：纯质（sattva）、激质（rajas）与暗质（tamas）。又有一组三分出自惩罚（王者之纪律）：秩序之安定，正人之增长，恶者之衰败。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma distinguishes two kinds of ‘triads’: the psychological triad of the guṇas (sattva–rajas–tamas) and a practical triad produced by daṇḍa (state discipline)—maintaining stability, promoting the righteous, and reducing the wicked—showing how inner qualities and outer governance both shape dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and rulership, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira, explaining conceptual frameworks: beyond moksha, one may analyze conduct through the guṇas, and one may also evaluate royal policy through the three effects of punishment—order, uplift of the good, and suppression of wrongdoing.