Shloka 10
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
असम्मोहाय मर्त्यनामर्थसंरक्षणाय च | मर्यादा स्थापिता लोके दण्डसंज्ञा विशाम्पते,प्रजानाथ! मनुष्योंको प्रमादसे बचाने और उनके धनकी रक्षा करनेके लिये लोकमें जो मर्यादा स्थापित की गयी है, उसीका नाम दण्ड है
asammohāya martyānām artha-saṁrakṣaṇāya ca | maryādā sthāpitā loke daṇḍa-saṁjñā viśāmpate prajānātha |
Sinabi ni Arjuna: O panginoon ng bayan, tagapagtanggol ng mga nasasakupan! Ang hanggahan ng kaayusan na itinatag sa daigdig—upang ilayo ang mga mortal sa kapabayaan at ingatan ang kanilang yaman—iyan ang tinatawag na daṇḍa, ang kapangyarihan ng parusa at pamamahala.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Daṇḍa (punitive authority) is justified as a dharmic instrument: it establishes maryādā (limits and order) so that people do not fall into negligence and wrongdoing, and so that their property and material interests are protected.
Arjuna addresses a ruler-like figure (prajānātha/viśāmpati) and defines daṇḍa as the socially established mechanism of restraint and protection—linking political authority to ethical responsibility toward subjects.