Shloka 14
Yogakṣema, Purohita, and the Mucukunda–Vaiśravaṇa Dialogue (योगक्षेम–पुरोहित–मुचुकुन्दवैश्रवणसंवादः)
तपो मन्त्रबलं नित्यं ब्राह्मणेषु प्रतिक्ठितम् । अस्त्रबाहुबलं नित्य क्षत्रियेषु प्रतिष्ठितम्,“ब्राह्मणोंमें सदा तप और मन्त्रका बल उपस्थित होता है और क्षत्रियोंमें अस्त्र तथा भुजाओंका
tapo mantrabalaṃ nityaṃ brāhmaṇeṣu pratiṣṭhitam | astrabāhubalaṃ nityaṃ kṣatriyeṣu pratiṣṭhitam ||
“婆罗门恒常之力，立于苦行与圣咒之威；刹帝利恒常之力，立于兵器与臂膀之勇。”
धनद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes rightful forms of strength according to dharma: Brahmins are grounded in spiritual power (tapas and mantra), while Kshatriyas are grounded in martial power (weapons and bodily prowess). It frames power as role-based responsibility rather than mere domination.
Dhanada (Kubera) states a principle about the natural and dharmic foundations of authority in society, contrasting the Brahmin’s spiritual means with the Kshatriya’s martial means, as part of the Shanti Parva’s broader instruction on governance, conduct, and social order.