Shloka 13
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
नाभीतो यजते राजन् नाभीतो दातुमिच्छति । नाभीत: पुरुष: कश्चित् समये स्थातुमिच्छति
nābhīto yajate rājan nābhīto dātum icchati | nābhītaḥ puruṣaḥ kaścit samaye sthātum icchati rājan ||
阿周那曰：“大王啊，无所畏惧，则无人行祭；无所畏惧，则无人乐施。若无对刑罚之畏惧，则无人愿在其时坚守分际、职责与所立誓约。”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse argues that social and religious duties often depend on the restraining force of fear—especially fear of punishment (daṇḍa). It presents coercive authority as a practical support for dharma: without it, people tend to neglect sacrifice, charity, and adherence to agreed norms or vows.
Arjuna addresses a king and makes a political-ethical point within the Shanti Parva’s discussions on governance and dharma: he emphasizes the necessity of deterrence and enforcement to keep people aligned with duty and social order.