Shloka 5
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
राजदण्डभयादेके पापा: पापं न कुर्वते । यमदण्डभयादेके परलोकभयादपि
rājadaṇḍabhayād eke pāpāḥ pāpaṃ na kurvate | yamadaṇḍabhayād eke paralokabhayād api |
Wika ni Arjuna: “May mga makasalanang umiiwas sa kasalanan dahil sa takot sa parusa ng hari; ang iba’y dahil sa takot sa pamalo ni Yama; at ang iba pa’y dahil din sa takot sa kabilang-buhay. Ganyan ang likas na kalagayan ng daigdig—kaya ang lahat ay nakasalig sa daṇḍa, bilang puwersang nag-aayos at pumipigil.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral restraint in society often arises not from inner virtue alone but from fear of consequences—state punishment, divine/judicial retribution (Yama), and the results in the afterlife. Hence daṇḍa (sanctioning power) is presented as a foundational support for social order.
Arjuna is speaking within the Shanti Parva’s discussions on governance and dharma, pointing out that many people avoid wrongdoing primarily due to fear of punishment and post-mortem consequences, underscoring the practical necessity of daṇḍa in maintaining order.