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 ||
Wahai Raja, tanpa rasa takut tak seorang pun melakukan yajña; tanpa rasa takut tak seorang pun ingin bersedekah. Dan bila tiada takut akan daṇḍa (hukuman), tak ada manusia yang mau berdiri teguh, pada waktunya, dalam batasan, kewajiban, ataupun janji yang telah diikrarkan.
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.