Shloka 13
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
नाभीतो यजते राजन् नाभीतो दातुमिच्छति । नाभीत: पुरुष: कश्चित् समये स्थातुमिच्छति
nābhīto yajate rājan nābhīto dātum icchati | nābhītaḥ puruṣaḥ kaścit samaye sthātum icchati rājan ||
قال أرجونا: «أيها الملك، من غير خوفٍ لا يُقيم أحدٌ قربانًا، ومن غير خوفٍ لا يرغب أحدٌ في الصدقة. وإذا انعدم الخوفُ (من العقاب) فلا رجلَ يرضى أن يثبت، في الوقت اللائق، على مراعاة الحدود والواجبات والعهود المقطوعة.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse argues that social and religious duties often depend on the restraining force of fear—especially fear of punishment (daṇḍa). It presents coercive authority as a practical support for dharma: without it, people tend to neglect sacrifice, charity, and adherence to agreed norms or vows.
Arjuna addresses a king and makes a political-ethical point within the Shanti Parva’s discussions on governance and dharma: he emphasizes the necessity of deterrence and enforcement to keep people aligned with duty and social order.