Shloka 24
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
ततः स भगवान् ध्यात्वा चिरं शूलवरायुध: । आत्मानमात्मना दण्डं ससृजे देवसत्तम:,तब शूल नामक श्रेष्ठ शस्त्र धारण करनेवाले सुरश्रेष्ठ महादेवजीने देरतक विचार करके स्वयं अपने आपको ही दण्डके रूपमें प्रकट किया
tataḥ sa bhagavān dhyātvā ciraṁ śūlavarāyudhaḥ | ātmānam ātmanā daṇḍaṁ sasṛje devasattamaḥ ||
Bấy giờ Đấng Thế Tôn—Mahādeva, bậc tối thượng trong hàng chư thiên, lấy cây tam xoa làm vũ khí thượng hạng—trầm tư rất lâu. Sau khi suy xét, Ngài từ chính tự thể mình hiển lộ ra “daṇḍa”, cây gậy của sự trừng phạt và kỷ cương.
वसुहरोम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames daṇḍa (lawful discipline/punishment) as a dharmic instrument: when grounded in higher reflection and divine order, restraint and correction are not mere violence but a principled means to protect society and uphold righteousness.
Vasuharoma narrates that Mahādeva, after prolonged contemplation, brings forth (manifests) a ‘daṇḍa’ from his own being—symbolizing the emergence of authoritative discipline needed for governance and the maintenance of moral and social order.