Shloka 23
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
विधान दैवविदहितं तत्र विद्वान् न मुहाृति । यथा सृष्टोडसि राजेन्द्र तथा भवितुमरहसि
vidhānaṁ daivavihitaṁ tatra vidvān na muhyati | yathā sṛṣṭo ’si rājendra tathā bhavitum arhasi ||
“Ito’y isang kautusang itinakda ng tadhana; kaya’t ang marunong ay hindi nalilinlang dito. O pinakamainam sa mga hari, kung paanong hinubog ka ng Maylalang—iniukit ang iyong kapanganakan, angkan, at kalagayan—gayon din nararapat kang maging: kumilos ayon sa likas na pagkatao at sa dharma (tungkulin) na iginawad sa iyo.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches acceptance of divinely allotted order (daiva-vidhāna) without confusion, and urges one—especially a ruler—to live in alignment with one’s created nature, birth, and rightful duty (svadharma), rather than being shaken by doubt.
Arjuna addresses a king (rājendra), counseling him that the situation reflects destiny’s arrangement; therefore the wise do not fall into delusion, and the king should conduct himself according to the role and responsibilities for which he has been fashioned and placed by the Creator.