Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 73
सदा दण्डरुचिर्यश्च यो वा दण्डरुचिर्न हि । उत्कोचकैरधिकृतैस्तस्करैस्च प्रपीड्यते
sadā daṇḍaruciryaśca yo vā daṇḍarucirna hi | utkocakairadhikṛtaistaskaraisca prapīḍyate
چاہے کوئی ہمیشہ سزا کا دلدادہ ہو یا سزا سے بالکل رغبت نہ رکھتا ہو—وہ رشوت خور اہلکاروں اور چوروں کے ہاتھوں ستایا اور دبایا جاتا ہے۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative convention
Scene: A road with travelers/pilgrims being squeezed by bribery-taking officials at a checkpoint while thieves lurk; the ruler’s emblem appears indifferent, symbolizing imbalance in daṇḍa.
FAQs
When governance and social order degrade, corruption and theft prevail; dharma requires balanced, principled administration of daṇḍa.
No sacred site is referenced; the verse is a nīti-oriented observation.
None; it discusses administrative ethics and social consequences.