Shloka 24
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
ततः स भगवान् ध्यात्वा चिरं शूलवरायुध: । आत्मानमात्मना दण्डं ससृजे देवसत्तम:,तब शूल नामक श्रेष्ठ शस्त्र धारण करनेवाले सुरश्रेष्ठ महादेवजीने देरतक विचार करके स्वयं अपने आपको ही दण्डके रूपमें प्रकट किया
tataḥ sa bhagavān dhyātvā ciraṁ śūlavarāyudhaḥ | ātmānam ātmanā daṇḍaṁ sasṛje devasattamaḥ ||
तेव्हा शूल हे श्रेष्ठ आयुध धारण करणारे देवश्रेष्ठ भगवान् महादेव दीर्घकाळ ध्यानस्थ राहिले; आणि मग आपल्या आत्मस्वरूपातूनच दंडाची निर्मिती केली।
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames daṇḍa (lawful discipline/punishment) as a dharmic instrument: when grounded in higher reflection and divine order, restraint and correction are not mere violence but a principled means to protect society and uphold righteousness.
Vasuharoma narrates that Mahādeva, after prolonged contemplation, brings forth (manifests) a ‘daṇḍa’ from his own being—symbolizing the emergence of authoritative discipline needed for governance and the maintenance of moral and social order.