Shloka 36
महादेवस्ततस्तस्मिन् वृत्ते यज्ञे यथाविधि । दण्डं धर्मस्य गोप्तारं विष्णवे सत्कृतं ददौ
mahādevastatastasmīn vṛtte yajñe yathāvidhi | daṇḍaṃ dharmasya goptāraṃ viṣṇave satkṛtaṃ dadau ||
Vasuharoma berkata: Setelah korban suci itu disempurnakan menurut tatacara yang benar, Mahādeva memuliakan Viṣṇu—pelindung Dharma—lalu menyerahkan kepadanya daṇḍa, tongkat hukuman, lambang pemerintahan yang adil. Perbuatan itu menandakan bahawa kuasa mengekang kejahatan hendaklah digunakan demi Dharma dan diamanahkan kepada yang layak menerimanya.
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.