Shloka 51
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
प्रजा जागर्ति लोके5स्मिन् दण्डो जागर्ति तासु च । सर्व संक्षिपते दण्ड: पितामहसमप्रभ:,इस लोकमें प्रजा जागती है और प्रजाओंमें दण्ड जागता है। वह ब्रह्माजीके समान तेजस्वी दण्ड सबको मर्यादाके भीतर रखता है
prajā jāgarti loke 'smin daṇḍo jāgarti tāsu ca | sarvaṁ saṁkṣipate daṇḍaḥ pitāmaha-samaprabhaḥ ||
In this world the people remain watchful, and among the people the Rod of punishment (daṇḍa) remains watchful as well. That daṇḍa—radiant like the Grandfather (Brahmā)—restrains all within proper bounds, preserving order and moral discipline.
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that society is held together by vigilant, dharma-aligned authority (daṇḍa). Proper punishment and restraint are not mere force; they function as a moral boundary that keeps everyone within rightful limits and prevents disorder.
In the Shānti Parva’s discourse on rājadharma, Vasuharoma explains the necessity of daṇḍa: while people are alert in worldly life, the king’s disciplinary power must be even more alert, curbing all and maintaining the realm’s order, likened in splendour to Brahmā.