Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c6.72

c6.72

This is of the very essence of that protection for which the government stands pre-eminently. In one of his questions, Yudhiṣṭhira refers to Danda, Chastisement or Coercion in a most remarkable fashion. "Of what kind is he? What is his form? Of what is he made? Whence is his origin? What are his features? Who is he that remains eternally wakeful protecting this universe? Who is he that is known to be the foremost of all things?"³ Bhisma replies that chastisement is that which keeps up righteousness. The embodiment of chastisement is he who protects all by an impartial exercise of the rod. "Chastisement is a great god. In form he looks like a blazing fire. His complexion is dark like that of the petals of the blue lotus. He is equipt with four teeth, has four arms and eight legs and many eyes. His ears are pointed like shafts and his hair stands erect. He has matted locks and two tongues. His face has the hue of copper and he is clad in a lion's skin."⁴ Such is the monster set up to teach mankind their duty. On earth he assumes various forms—the sword, the bow, the mace, the dart, the trident and all sorts of weapons. "Indeed, chastisement moves on earth, piercing, cutting, afflicting, lopping off, dividing, striking, slaying, and rushing against its victims. These . . . . . are some of the names which chastisement bears, viz., Sword, Sabre, Righteousness, Fury, the irresistible, the Parent of Prosperity, Victory, Punisher, Checker, the Eternal, the Scriptures, Brahma, Mantra, the Avenger, the Foremost of First Legislators, the Judge, the Undecaying, God.....the Ever-agoing, the First-born, the Affectionless, the Soul of Rudra, the Eldest Manu and the Great Benefactor."¹ In a later verse, he is given eight other names—God, Man, Life, Power, Heart, Lord of all Creatures, Soul of all Things, the Living Creature."²