Shloka 23
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
विधान दैवविदहितं तत्र विद्वान् न मुहाृति । यथा सृष्टोडसि राजेन्द्र तथा भवितुमरहसि
vidhānaṁ daivavihitaṁ tatra vidvān na muhyati | yathā sṛṣṭo ’si rājendra tathā bhavitum arhasi ||
«هذا حكمٌ أقامته المقادير؛ لذلك لا يلتبس الأمر على الحكيم. يا خيرَ الملوك، كما صاغك الخالق—وأثبتك في مولدك ونسبك ومنزلتك—فكذلك يليق بك أن تكون: اعمل وفق طبيعتك ووفق واجبك (الدارما) الذي قُسِم لك.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches acceptance of divinely allotted order (daiva-vidhāna) without confusion, and urges one—especially a ruler—to live in alignment with one’s created nature, birth, and rightful duty (svadharma), rather than being shaken by doubt.
Arjuna addresses a king (rājendra), counseling him that the situation reflects destiny’s arrangement; therefore the wise do not fall into delusion, and the king should conduct himself according to the role and responsibilities for which he has been fashioned and placed by the Creator.