Shloka 45
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
हवि:श्वा प्रलिहेद् दृष्टवा दण्डश्नेन्नोद्यतों भवेत् | हरेत् काक: पुरोडाशं यदि दण्डो न पालयेत्,यदि दण्ड रक्षाके लिये सदा उद्यत न रहे तो कुत्ता हविष्यको देखते ही चाट जाय और यदि दण्ड रक्षा न करे तो कौआ पुरोडाशको उठा ले जाय
haviḥ śvā pralihyed dṛṣṭvā daṇḍaśnennodyato bhavet | haret kākaḥ puroḍāśaṃ yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ||
ദണ്ഡം രക്ഷയ്ക്കായി എപ്പോഴും സജ്ജമല്ലെങ്കിൽ, നായ ഹവി കണ്ടയുടൻ നക്കിത്തീർക്കും; ദണ്ഡം കാക്കാതിരുന്നാൽ, കാക്ക പുരോഡാശം എടുത്തുകൊണ്ടുപോകും.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dharma and rightful order require vigilant enforcement (daṇḍa). Without a ready, protective authority, even what is sacred or properly allocated is quickly appropriated by those driven by appetite or opportunism.
Arjuna uses a concrete ritual image: offerings like havis and puroḍāśa will be licked or stolen by animals if no one guards them. He applies this as an analogy for society—if the ruler’s punitive power is not alert and protective, disorder and theft prevail.