Mahabharata Shanti Parva – पतेद बहुविधं शस्त्रं बहुधा धर्मचारिषु

Shloka (श्लोक)

पतेद बहुविधं शस्त्रं बहुधा धर्मचारिषु
अधर्मः परगृहीतः सयाद यदि राजा न पालयेत

⚡ Quick Meaning

If a king does not enforce righteousness, chaos and immorality will arise even among different disciplines of warfare and duty.

Translations

English Translation

This shloka warns that without appropriate governance, various forms of weaponry and their use may deviate into iniquity, leading to societal dysfunction. It stresses the king’s role in maintaining dharma to prevent adharma from taking root.

हिंदी अनुवाद

यह श्लोक चेतावनी देता है कि यदि उचित शासन नहीं है, तो विभिन्न प्रकार के शस्त्र और उनके उपयोग अधर्म में बदल सकते हैं, जिससे समाज में अव्यवस्था उत्पन्न होती है। यह राजा की भूमिका को धर्म बनाए रखने में महत्वपूर्ण बनाता है।

Commentary

Context

The context of this verse relates to the discussions in Shanti Parva regarding the ideals of leadership and the consequences of failing to uphold justice.

Meaning

This verse denotes that the righteousness of a ruler directly affects the martial and ethical conduct of the subjects, underlining the weight a king carries in shaping society.

Application

Modern leaders can draw parallels to the importance of ethical governance, ensuring that laws and duties do not promote immorality within the society they govern.