Shloka 53
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
यज देहि प्रजां रक्ष धर्म समनुपालय । अमित्रान् जहि कौन्तेय मित्राणि परिपालय
yaja dehi prajāṁ rakṣa dharmaṁ samanupālaya | amitrān jahi kaunteya mitrāṇi paripālaya ||
Laksanakan yajña, berdermalah, lindungilah rakyat, dan tegakkan dharma tanpa henti. Wahai putra Kuntī, tumpaslah musuh dan peliharalah sahabat.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse summarizes a ruler’s and warrior’s dharma: sustain society through yajña (sacred duty), dāna (generosity), and protection of the populace, while maintaining moral order; in conflict, eliminate hostile threats and preserve allies—force is framed as protective and dharma-governed rather than self-serving.
Arjuna addresses “Kaunteya” (a direct address to himself or a Kuntī-born hero in exhortative style) with a compact set of imperatives that read like counsel for righteous governance and conduct in war: uphold religious-social duties, protect subjects, and act decisively against enemies while caring for friends.