Shloka 19
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
मध्यस्थान् सर्वभूतेषु दान्तान् शमपरायणान् | यजन्ते मानवा: केचित् प्रशान्ता: सर्वकर्मसु
madhyasthān sarvabhūteṣu dāntān śamaparāyaṇān | yajante mānavāḥ kecit praśāntāḥ sarvakarmasu ||
Arjuna berkata: “Ada manusia yang bersikap adil terhadap semua makhluk, menahan diri dan berpegang pada ketenangan batin; mereka beribadah (kepada Yang Ilahi) sambil hidup damai dalam setiap perbuatan.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises a mode of religious life grounded in ethical equanimity: impartiality toward all beings, restraint of the senses, and dedication to mental tranquility. Worship is presented not merely as ritual, but as serenity maintained through all actions.
In the Shanti Parva’s reflective discourse, Arjuna speaks about a class of people who pursue worship through inner discipline—remaining neutral and calm toward all beings and acting without agitation in any work.