Shloka 7
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
यथा गणाः: प्रवर्धन्ते न भिद्यन्ते च भारत । अरींश्व विजिगीषन्ते सुहृदः प्राप्तुवन्ति च
yathā gaṇāḥ pravardhante na bhidyante ca bhārata | arīn svaṃ vijigīṣante suhṛdaḥ prāpnuvanti ca ||
Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „O Bhārata, ich wünsche in voller Ausführlichkeit zu hören, wie die Menschen eines von einer gaṇa regierten Staates gedeihen; wie sie Zwietracht und Spaltung unter sich vermeiden; mit welchem Entschluss und welcher Methode sie den Sieg über Feinde erstreben; und durch welche Mittel sie Freundschaft und Beistand der Wohlgesinnten gewinnen.“
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ethical-political inquiry central to rājadharma: collective polities thrive through internal cohesion, disciplined pursuit of security against enemies, and the cultivation of trustworthy allies—prosperity is treated as inseparable from unity and prudent relationships.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance, Yudhiṣṭhira asks to be taught the practical principles by which gaṇa-based states (assembly/clan polities) grow strong—how they prevent internal splits, aim at victory over adversaries, and win the support of friends.