Shloka 11
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
तान् द्विजान् कुरुते वश्यांस्तथा युक्तो महीपति: । वश चोपनयेच्छत्रून् निहन्याच्च पुरंदर
bhīṣma uvāca | tān dvijān kurute vaśyāṁs tathā yukto mahīpatiḥ | vaśa copanayec chatrūn nihanyāc ca puraṁdara ||
قال بهيشما: «وهكذا فإن الملك المنضبط، المسدَّد إلى الصواب، يجعل حتى أولئك البراهمة تحت نفوذه. وعلى هذا النحو، يا بوراندارا، فليستدرج أعداءه إلى سلطانه، ثم ليقضِ عليهم.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should act with disciplined strategy: first bring opponents under control through method and influence, and only then employ force. The verse frames kingship as requiring calculated restraint and timing rather than impulsive aggression.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma continues advising the king on practical governance and dealing with adversaries—how to secure dominance over influential groups and enemies, culminating in decisive action once control is established.