Shloka 42
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
अददद् दण्डमेवास्मै धृतमैश्चर्यमेव च । बलेन यश्न संयुक्त: सदा पडचविधात्मक:
adadad daṇḍam evāsmai dhṛtam aiśvaryam eva ca | balena yaś ca saṃyuktaḥ sadā pañcavidhātmakaḥ | yo sarvadā sainika-balena sampannaḥ tathā yo dharma-vyavahāra-daṇḍa-īśvara-jīva-rūpeṇa pañca-prakāra-svarūpaṃ dhārayati, tasmai rājñe īśvareṇaiva daṇḍanītiḥ svaṃ cāiśvaryaṃ pradattam |
अददद् दण्डमेवास्मै धृतमैश्वर्यमेव च। बलेन यश्च संयुक्तः सदा पञ्चविधात्मकः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal authority—especially the right to punish (daṇḍa)—is portrayed as a divinely granted trust. Therefore the king must use coercive power ethically, to uphold dharma and social order rather than personal desire.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma explains to the listener that a true king, supported by military strength and embodying multiple governing functions, receives the mandate of punishment and sovereignty from the Lord—highlighting the sacred responsibility behind governance.