Shloka 21
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
न च वश्यो भवेदस्य नृपो यश्चातिवीर्यवान् | हीनश्न बलवीर्याभ्यां कर्षयंस्तत्परो वसेत्
na ca vaśyo bhaved asya nṛpo yaś cātivīryavān | hīnaś ca balavīryābhyāṁ karṣayaṁs tatparo vaset ||
قال بهيشما: إن الملكَ الضعيفَ في القوة والبأس لا ينبغي له أن يصير تابعًا خاضعًا لملكٍ بالغِ الشدة. بل عليه، وهو حريصٌ على أمنه، أن يثبت ويستمر، وأن يُوهن ذلك العدوَّ القويَّ في خفاءٍ وبصبرٍ، مُنقِصًا قوته بتدابير مستترة لا بمواجهةٍ مكشوفة.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches pragmatic statecraft: a weaker king should not accept humiliating subservience to an overwhelmingly powerful ruler; instead he should preserve autonomy and patiently weaken the adversary through discreet, strategic means rather than direct confrontation.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and policy, Bhishma advises the listener on how a king should respond when facing a far stronger rival—counseling caution, concealment, and long-term strategy over open submission or reckless battle.