Shloka 1
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
- 'इमावेव गौतमभरद्वाजौ” इत्यादि श्रुतिके अनुसार सम्पूर्ण ज्ञानेन्द्रियोंका गौतम
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—ayaṃ pitāmahenokto rājadharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | īśvaraś ca mahādaṇḍo daṇḍe sarvaṃ pratiṣṭhitam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Grandfather, you have expounded this eternal duty of kingship. According to it, the great Daṇḍa—the power of punishment and governance—is the sovereign over all; upon Daṇḍa everything stands established.”
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the stability of society and the functioning of kingship rest on Daṇḍa—lawful authority expressed as discipline and punishment—presented as the governing power that upholds order.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma (the grandsire) and summarizes/acknowledges Bhīṣma’s exposition of the eternal rājadharma, emphasizing the central role of Daṇḍa in governance.