Shloka 5
Daṇḍa as the Foundation of Social Order (दण्डप्रतिष्ठा)
राजदण्डभयादेके पापा: पापं न कुर्वते । यमदण्डभयादेके परलोकभयादपि
rājadaṇḍabhayād eke pāpāḥ pāpaṃ na kurvate | yamadaṇḍabhayād eke paralokabhayād api |
阿周那说道：“有些罪人因畏王罚而不敢作恶；有些因畏阎摩之杖；又有些亦因畏惧来世而自止。此乃世间之自然常态；故万事皆建立于惩罚之杖（daṇḍa）之上，作为约束与调节之力。”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Moral restraint in society often arises not from inner virtue alone but from fear of consequences—state punishment, divine/judicial retribution (Yama), and the results in the afterlife. Hence daṇḍa (sanctioning power) is presented as a foundational support for social order.
Arjuna is speaking within the Shanti Parva’s discussions on governance and dharma, pointing out that many people avoid wrongdoing primarily due to fear of punishment and post-mortem consequences, underscoring the practical necessity of daṇḍa in maintaining order.