Shloka 33
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
ये5पि सम्मिन्नमर्यादा नास्तिका वेदनिन्दका: । तेडपि भोगाय कल्पन्ते दण्डेनाशु निपीडिता:
ye 'pi samminn amaryādā nāstikā vedanindakāḥ | te 'pi bhogāya kalpante daṇḍenāśu nipīḍitāḥ ||
Arjuna berkata: “Bahkan mereka yang meruntuhkan batas-batas tata susila—golongan ateis yang mencela Weda—pun segera ditekan oleh hukuman, lalu dengan itu kembali menurut aturan, menjadi layak semula bagi kehidupan berdisiplin dan tertib masyarakat.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts the necessity of daṇḍa (punitive discipline) to protect maryādā (moral and social boundaries): even those who reject Vedic norms can be restrained and redirected toward orderly conduct when punishment is effectively applied.
In the Shanti Parva’s discussion of governance and dharma, Arjuna speaks to the practical role of punishment in maintaining social order, noting that offenders—especially those who undermine established norms—often return to proper conduct when checked by timely coercion.