Shloka 36
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
महादेवस्ततस्तस्मिन् वृत्ते यज्ञे यथाविधि । दण्डं धर्मस्य गोप्तारं विष्णवे सत्कृतं ददौ
mahādevastatastasmīn vṛtte yajñe yathāvidhi | daṇḍaṃ dharmasya goptāraṃ viṣṇave satkṛtaṃ dadau ||
યજ્ઞ વિધિપૂર્વક પૂર્ણ થતાં મહાદેવે ધર્મરક્ષક ભગવાન વિષ્ણુનો સત્કાર કરીને ધર્મશાસનનું પ્રતીક દંડ તેમને અર્પણ કર્યો।
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate power to punish (daṇḍa) is not mere force; it is a sacred trust meant to protect Dharma. It should be exercised by a worthy guardian with reverence for moral order, not for personal gain.
After a sacrifice is properly completed, Mahādeva honors Viṣṇu and formally hands over the daṇḍa—the symbol of punitive authority and governance—affirming Viṣṇu’s role as protector of Dharma.