[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s18.26 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.26 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s18.26 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s18.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.26) Daṇḍa, ‘staff.’ (a) This word is often mentioned in the ordinary sense; for example, when used for driving cattle¹ (go-ajanāsaḥ), or as a weapon.² A staff was given to a man on consecration for driving away demons, according to the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa.³ The staff also played a part in the initiation (upanayana) of a youth on attaining manhood.⁴ In a modified sense the word is used to denote the handle of a ladle or similar implement.⁵ (b) The ‘staff’ as the symbol of temporal power, implying punishment, is applied by the king (\*rāja-preṣito daṇḍaḥ\*).¹ The king, in modern phraseology, was the source of criminal law; and he clearly retained this branch of law in his own hands even in later times.² The punishment of the non-guilty (\*a-daṇḍya\*) is given as one of the characteristics of the non-Brahminical Vrātyas in the Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa.³ See also Dharma. - [Previous: v1.c3.s18.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.25) - [Next: v1.c3.s18.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.27) - [Up: v1.c3.s18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18) ## Linked texts (2) - [Pañcaviṃśabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.pancavimsa) — Sanskrit - [Śatapathabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.satapatha) — Yājñavalkya & Śāṇḍilya (Vedic teacher), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s18.26) · Pramāṇa