Shloka 38
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
अमित्रा हृष्टमनस: प्रत्युद्यान्ति पलायिनम् | जयिनस्तु नरास्तात चन्दनैर्मण्डनेन च,शत्रु प्रसन्नचित्त होकर भागनेवाले योद्धाका पीछा करते हैं तथा तात! विजयी मनुष्य चन्दन और आशभूषणोंद्वारा पूजित होते हैं
amitrā hṛṣṭamanasaḥ pratyudyānti palāyinam | jayinastu narāstātta candanair maṇḍanena ca ||
Bhishma sprach: Die Feinde, von frohem Mut, drängen vor und verfolgen den, der zur Flucht ansetzt. Doch, mein Sohn, die Sieger werden mit Ehren empfangen—mit Sandelholzpaste gesalbt und mit Schmuck geziert.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights a practical moral psychology of conflict: flight invites pursuit and aggression from foes, while steadfast victory brings social honor and ceremonial recognition. The verse contrasts the consequences of defeat versus victory, underscoring how public conduct and morale shape outcomes in warfare and worldly life.
In Bhishma’s instruction during the Shanti Parva, he describes how enemies become emboldened and chase a retreating fighter, whereas the victorious are welcomed and celebrated—symbolically with sandal-paste anointing and adornment—reflecting societal validation of success in battle.