Shloka 39
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
न संवत्सरसत्राणि तिष्ठेयुरकुतो भया: । विधिवद् दक्षिणावन्ति यदि दण्डो न पालयेत्,यदि दण्ड धर्मका पालन न करावे तो विधि-पूर्वक दक्षिणाओंसे युक्त संवत्सरयज्ञ भी बेखटके न होने पावे
na saṁvatsarasatrāṇi tiṣṭheyuḥ akuto-bhayāḥ | vidhivad dakṣiṇāvanti yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ||
Arjuna berkata: “Jika daṇḍa tidak menegakkan dharma, maka upacara korban yang berlangsung setahun (saṃvatsara-satra) pun tidak akan dapat berjalan tanpa halangan dan tanpa rasa takut, dan tidak akan disempurnakan menurut aturan dengan pemberian dakṣiṇā yang ditetapkan.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
That dharma in society—including the safe performance of sacred rites—depends on the rightful upholding of daṇḍa (lawful punishment/enforcement). Without enforcement, even religious institutions become insecure and cannot function properly.
Arjuna is arguing that governance and the maintenance of order are necessary supports for dharma. He points to the example of long Vedic sacrificial sessions: they can proceed fearlessly and with proper ritual gifts only when daṇḍa is upheld.