[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Hindu Administrative Institutions](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929) › c6.59 # Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.59 Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.59 - **Language:** English ### [c6.59](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c6.59) ‘It is \*daṇḍa\* that rules the subjects, it is \*daṇḍa\* that protects all. It is \*daṇḍa\* that keeps awake and guards people when they are asleep and hence the learned style \*daṇḍa\* itself as \*dharma\*.’ It will thus appear that the essential requisite for a state as a state is \*daṇḍa\*. It is the means to realize the end, namely, the propagation of \*dharma\*. The law-giver goes the length of deifying \*daṇḍa\* as a goddess with a dark complexion and with red eyes, carrying destruction to avowed sinners, but peace to the innocent. In a country where this goddess, \*daṇḍa\*, moves about, there the people never experience difficulties. And the king thoroughly enjoys his position.¹ Deification of \*daṇḍa\* is more elaborately made in the \*Śānti Parvan\* of the \*Mahābhārata\*.² The power of \*daṇḍa\*, and especially the dread of it, is such that even the Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas, Rākshasas, Pathagas, and Uragas, do their duty loyally. Kullūka Bhaṭṭa in his commentary on \*verse\* 23, chap. viii of Manu quotes the \*śruti\*³ ‘through fear of Him, Agni burns : through fear glows the sun : through fear Indra and Vayu : Mṛtyu runs the fifth.’ From these it is evident that the ancients realized the truth ‘No \*daṇḍa\*, no society; no \*daṇḍa\*, no state.’ State and society exist in and through \*daṇḍa\*. \*Daṇḍa\* is the guiding factor for everything.¹ - [Previous: c6.58](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c6.58) - [Next: c6.60](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c6.60) - [Up: c6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c6) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c6.59](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.dikshitar-1929.c6.59) · Pramāṇa