Shloka 13
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
नाभीतो यजते राजन् नाभीतो दातुमिच्छति । नाभीत: पुरुष: कश्चित् समये स्थातुमिच्छति
nābhīto yajate rājan nābhīto dātum icchati | nābhītaḥ puruṣaḥ kaścit samaye sthātum icchati rājan ||
Arjuna dit : « Ô Roi, sans crainte nul n’accomplit le sacrifice ; sans crainte nul ne veut donner en aumône. Et s’il n’est point de crainte (du châtiment), nul homme ne consent à demeurer ferme, au moment voulu, dans l’observance des limites, des devoirs ou des engagements jurés. »
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse argues that social and religious duties often depend on the restraining force of fear—especially fear of punishment (daṇḍa). It presents coercive authority as a practical support for dharma: without it, people tend to neglect sacrifice, charity, and adherence to agreed norms or vows.
Arjuna addresses a king and makes a political-ethical point within the Shanti Parva’s discussions on governance and dharma: he emphasizes the necessity of deterrence and enforcement to keep people aligned with duty and social order.