Shloka 45
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
हवि:श्वा प्रलिहेद् दृष्टवा दण्डश्नेन्नोद्यतों भवेत् | हरेत् काक: पुरोडाशं यदि दण्डो न पालयेत्
haviḥ śvā pralihyed dṛṣṭvā daṇḍaśnennodyato bhavet | haret kākaḥ puroḍāśaṃ yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ||
Wika ni Arjuna: “Kung ang pamalo ng parusa ay hindi laging handa, ang aso, sa pagkakita pa lamang sa handog (havis), ay didilaan iyon; at kung hindi magtatanggol ang daṇḍa, ang uwak ay tatangay sa kakaning pang-alay (puroḍāśa). Kaya kung walang mapagbantay na pagpapatupad, ang nakalaan para sa banal na kaayusan at wastong paggamit ay aagawin ng mga walang hiya.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that dharma and rightful order require vigilant enforcement (daṇḍa). Without a ready, protective authority, even what is sacred or properly allocated is quickly appropriated by those driven by appetite or opportunism.
Arjuna uses a concrete ritual image: offerings like havis and puroḍāśa will be licked or stolen by animals if no one guards them. He applies this as an analogy for society—if the ruler’s punitive power is not alert and protective, disorder and theft prevail.