Shloka 41
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
ईश्वर: पुरुष: प्राण: सत्त्वं चित्तं प्रजापति: । भूतात्मा जीव इत्येवं नामश्रि: प्रोच्यतेडष्टभि:
īśvaraḥ puruṣaḥ prāṇaḥ sattvaṁ cittaṁ prajāpatiḥ | bhūtātmā jīva ityevaṁ nāmaśriḥ procyate ’ṣṭabhiḥ ||
毗湿摩说：王罚与治权之理（daṇḍa），以八种名号而宣说——伊湿伐罗（主宰）、补鲁沙（大人）、普拉那（生命气息）、萨特瓦（维持之性）、质多（心识）、般阇波提（众生之主）、部多阿特曼（诸有情之内我）、以及吉瓦（个体生命）。如此命名，是为表明达ṇḍa并非徒然暴力，而是当其正当施行时，能养护生命、建立秩序、扶持达摩的力量。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Daṇḍa (the coercive power of rule and punishment) is presented as a dharmic, life-sustaining principle with cosmic and psychological dimensions. By giving it eight exalted names, the text teaches that punishment is not merely retribution but a force meant to preserve order, protect beings, and support righteous conduct when exercised with restraint and discernment.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma after the war, Bhishma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on statecraft and moral rule. Here he explains the nature of daṇḍa by listing its eight traditional appellations, elevating the concept from a political tool to a principle tied to life, mind, and cosmic order.