Shloka 52
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
एवं पर्याकुले लोके वितथैर्जर्जरीकृते । तैस्तैन्ययिर्महाराज पुराणं धर्ममाचर
evaṁ paryākule loke vitathair jarjarīkṛte | tais tair nyāyair mahārāja purāṇaṁ dharmam ācara ||
When the world has become confused and agitated, and has been worn down by false dealings, then, O great king, follow those very principles of justice and practice the ancient dharma—restoring right conduct amid disorder.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a society destabilized by falsehood and corrupt practice, a ruler should re-establish order by adhering to sound principles of justice (nyāya) and by practicing the time-tested, ancient dharma rather than improvising expedient but unethical measures.
The speaker addresses a great king and urges him to respond to a world thrown into turmoil by deceit: the remedy proposed is governance grounded in nyāya and the restoration of purāṇa-dharma (the old, authoritative moral order).