Shloka 22
Vyavahāra-Śuddhi and Rājadharma: Clean Administration, Counsel, and Proportional Punishment
Chapter 86
राज्ञो वधं चिकीर्षेद् यस्तस्य चित्रो वधो भवेत् | आदीपकस्य स्तेनस्य वर्णसंकरिकस्य च
bhīṣma uvāca | rājño vadhaṃ cikīrṣed yas tasya citro vadho bhavet | ādīpakasya stenasya varṇasaṅkarikasya ca |
毗湿摩说道：凡欲弑君者，其处决当以昭彰示众、以儆效尤。又如纵火焚村焚宅者、盗贼，以及以邪行促成阶序混乱、致使种姓杂糅者，皆为当以多种方式诛戮之罪人，以护国土、以扶持正法（dharma）。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In rājadharma, certain acts—attempting to kill the king, arson, theft, and conduct that destabilizes social order (varṇa-saṅkara)—are treated as grave threats to the realm; therefore, the punishment is prescribed as severe and exemplary to deter harm and protect dharma.
During Bhishma’s instruction on governance and law in the Śānti Parva, he lists categories of major offenders and states that those who endanger the king and public safety merit conspicuous, deterrent punishment.