Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.33

c6.33

Kāmandaka proceeds to define the term.¹ ‘Repression of crime is known as daṇḍa. Owing to the possession of this virtue, the king himself is known as daṇḍa. The administration of the king is called daṇḍa nīti.’ It is called nīti because it leads, being derived from the root ‘nī’ to lead. This is leading the people into right conduct. Saṅkarārya in commenting on this verse quotes a popular verse from Manu. The whole world is under the influence of daṇḍa. Purity of conduct is hard to see anywhere. It is through fear of daṇḍa that the whole earth is made fit for enjoyment.² Kāmandaka then speaks of its great value. By means of daṇḍa nīti, therefore, the king must protect himself and afford protection to other sciences.³