Shloka 33
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
ये5पि सम्मिन्नमर्यादा नास्तिका वेदनिन्दका: । तेडपि भोगाय कल्पन्ते दण्डेनाशु निपीडिता:
ye 'pi samminn amaryādā nāstikā vedanindakāḥ | te 'pi bhogāya kalpante daṇḍenāśu nipīḍitāḥ ||
阿周那说：“即便是那些毁坏正行界限的人——不信者，诋毁吠陀者——也会很快被惩罚所压制；因此他们重新归于法度，再次适合于有纪律的生活与社会秩序。”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts the necessity of daṇḍa (punitive discipline) to protect maryādā (moral and social boundaries): even those who reject Vedic norms can be restrained and redirected toward orderly conduct when punishment is effectively applied.
In the Shanti Parva’s discussion of governance and dharma, Arjuna speaks to the practical role of punishment in maintaining social order, noting that offenders—especially those who undermine established norms—often return to proper conduct when checked by timely coercion.