Shloka 2.67.32
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः (The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm)
ये हि सम्भिन्नमर्यादा नास्तिकाश्छिन्नसंशयाः।तेऽपि भावाय कल्पन्ते राजदण्डनिपीडिताः।।।।
ye hi sambhinnamaryādā nāstikāś chinnasaṃśayāḥ |
te 'pi bhāvāya kalpante rājadaṇḍanipīḍitāḥ || 2.67.32 ||
Even those who shatter moral boundaries—atheists who cast off all scruples—are still brought to right conduct when pressed by the king’s punishment.
Atheists, who disregard the bounds of morality and live freely dispelling doubts will tend to follow virtuous path out of fear when subjected to royal punishment.
The verse frames punishment (daṇḍa) as a corrective tool: governance restrains those who would otherwise disregard dharma, guiding society back toward moral order.
The speakers argue that kingship is necessary not only for the good but also to restrain the lawless after the king’s death.
The ruler’s firmness and impartial enforcement of justice.