Shloka 41
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
ईश्वर: पुरुष: प्राण: सत्त्वं चित्तं प्रजापति: । भूतात्मा जीव इत्येवं नामश्रि: प्रोच्यतेडष्टभि:
īśvaraḥ puruṣaḥ prāṇaḥ sattvaṁ cittaṁ prajāpatiḥ | bhūtātmā jīva ityevaṁ nāmaśriḥ procyate ’ṣṭabhiḥ ||
Dijo Bhishma: El principio del castigo y del gobierno real (daṇḍa) se enuncia mediante ocho apelativos: Īśvara (el Señor), Puruṣa (la Persona), Prāṇa (la fuerza vital), Sattva (la cualidad sustentadora), Citta (la mente), Prajāpati (el señor de las criaturas), Bhūtātman (el sí mismo en los seres) y Jīva (el individuo viviente). Al nombrarlo así, la enseñanza presenta el daṇḍa no como mera violencia, sino como un poder que sostiene la vida, crea orden y, cuando se aplica rectamente, mantiene el dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Daṇḍa (the coercive power of rule and punishment) is presented as a dharmic, life-sustaining principle with cosmic and psychological dimensions. By giving it eight exalted names, the text teaches that punishment is not merely retribution but a force meant to preserve order, protect beings, and support righteous conduct when exercised with restraint and discernment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma after the war, Bhishma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on statecraft and moral rule. Here he explains the nature of daṇḍa by listing its eight traditional appellations, elevating the concept from a political tool to a principle tied to life, mind, and cosmic order.