Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.16.13
नादण्ड्यं दण्डयत्येष सुतमात्मद्विषामपि ।
दण्डयत्यात्मजमपि दण्ड्यं धर्मपथे स्थित: ॥ १३ ॥
nādaṇḍyaṁ daṇḍayaty eṣa
[naadandyam dandayaty esha]
sutam ātma-dviṣām api
[sutam aatma-dvishaam api]
daṇḍayaty ātmajam api
[dandayaty aatmajam api]
daṇḍyaṁ dharma-pathe sthitaḥ
[dandyam dharma-pathe sthitah]
Word-for-word
na
—
not
adaṇḍyam
—
not punishable
daṇḍayati
—
punishes
eṣaḥ
—
this King
sutam
—
the son
ātma-dviṣām
—
of his enemies
api
—
even
daṇḍayati
—
he punishes
ātma-jam
—
his own son
api
—
even
daṇḍyam
—
punishable
dharma-pathe
—
on the path of piety
sthitaḥ
—
being situated.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nādaṇḍyaṁ daṇḍayaty eṣa
na
not
adaṇḍyam
not punishable
daṇḍayati
punishes
eṣaḥ
this King
sutam ātma-dviṣām api
sutam
the son
ātma-dviṣām
of his enemies
api
even
daṇḍayaty ātmajam api
daṇḍayati
he punishes
ātma-jam
his own son
api
even
daṇḍyaṁ dharma-pathe sthitaḥ
daṇḍyam
punishable
dharma-pathe
on the path of piety
sthitaḥ
being situated.
Since this King will always remain on the path of piety, he will be neutral to both his son and the son of his enemy. If the son of his enemy is not punishable, he will not punish him, but if his own son is punishable, he will immediately punish him.
Purport
These are the characteristics of an impartial ruler. It is the duty of a ruler to punish the criminal and give protection to the innocent. King Pṛthu was so neutral that if his own son were punishable, he would not hesitate to punish him. On the other hand, if the son of his enemy were innocent, he would not engage in some intrigue in order to punish him.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Situated in dharma, he will not punish his enemy’s son if he does not deserve to be punished and he will punish even his own son if he deserves punishment.
Personal Guidance
He'll be neutral between his own son and his enemy's son in matters of punishment. The dharmic ruler doesn't bend law for family; impartiality is enforced specifically where bias is tempting.
Reflection Questions
- Where do I bend rules for my own children or favorites?
- Which non-allies have I been over-punishing while sparing my own?
My note
Source: vedabase.io