Shloka 12
आपद्धर्मे वैश्यवृत्तिः, विक्रय-निषेधाः, तथा ब्रह्म-क्षत्र-सम्बन्धः
Emergency Livelihood, Prohibited Trade, and Brahman–Kshatra Regulation
युधिछिर उवाच अथ तात यदा सर्वा: शस्त्रमाददते प्रजा: । व्युत्क्रामन्ति स्वधर्मेभ्य: क्षत्रस्य क्षीयते बलम्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca atha tāta yadā sarvāḥ śastram ādadate prajāḥ | vyutkrāmanti svadharmebhyaḥ kṣatrasya kṣīyate balam ||
坚战（Yudhiṣṭhira）说道：“那么，尊者啊，当众民皆执兵刃，背离各自所定之本分时，刹帝利之力（kṣatra，王权护持之阶序）便会衰减。在此情势下，国王如何护国安邦？又如何能为众人施与庇护？愿你为我详尽解除此疑。”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a rajadharma problem: if the populace abandons its own duties and becomes militarized, the distinct protective function of kṣatra weakens. Yudhiṣṭhira asks how legitimate authority can still safeguard the realm and offer refuge—implying that social stability depends on each group adhering to its svadharma and on the king’s disciplined, principled use of force.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Yudhiṣṭhira raises a practical doubt to an elder teacher: when disorder spreads and everyone takes up weapons, the king’s power seems undermined. He requests a detailed explanation of how a ruler can maintain protection and provide asylum under such conditions.