Shloka 7
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
कश्न विज्ञायते पूर्व को वरो दण्डसंज्ञित: । किंसंस्थश्नव भवेद् दण्ड: का वास्य गतिरुच्यते,पहले इसे किस नामसे जाना जाता था? कौन दण्ड प्रसिद्ध है? दण्डका आधार क्या है? तथा उसकी गति क्या बतायी गयी है?
kaś ca vijñāyate pūrvaṁ ko varo daṇḍasaṁjñitaḥ | kiṁsaṁsthaś ca bhaved daṇḍaḥ kā vāsya gatir ucyate ||
Yudhiṣṭhira asked: “By what name was it known in earlier times? Which excellent principle is called ‘Daṇḍa’ (the rod of governance/punishment)? On what foundation does Daṇḍa stand, and what course or end is declared for it?”
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Daṇḍa as a central ethical-political principle: legitimate authority and punishment must have a recognized origin/name, a defined excellence (why it is ‘vara’), a moral foundation (what it rests upon), and a declared proper course or end (how it should function and what it should achieve).
In the Śānti Parva’s rājadharma discussions, Yudhiṣṭhira questions the doctrine of Daṇḍa—seeking its earlier designation, its true nature as an ‘excellent’ principle, its basis, and its intended trajectory—so that kingship and justice may be grounded in dharma rather than mere force.