Shloka 44
हस्तिनो<श्वा रथा: पत्तिर्नावो विष्टिस्तथैव च । देशिकाश्चनाविकाश्वैव तदष्टाड़ं बल॑ स्मृतम्,हाथी, घोड़े, रथ, पैदल, नौका, बेगार, देशकी प्रजा तथा भेड़ आदि पशु--ये आठ अंगोंवाला बल आहार्य माना गया है
hastino 'śvā rathāḥ pattir nāvo viṣṭis tathaiva ca | deśikāś ca nāvikāś caiva tad aṣṭāṅgaṃ balaṃ smṛtam ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Elefanten, Pferde, Streitwagen und Fußvolk; Boote; Frondienst (Zwangsarbeit); die örtliche Bevölkerung; und auch die Schiffer—diese gelten als die acht Glieder einer ‚erworbenen‘, das heißt mobilisierten, Streitkraft.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma defines ‘bala’ (state power) as an eightfold, practical system: combat arms (elephants, horses, chariots, infantry) plus transport and manpower (boats, boatmen, local populace, and even compelled labour). The point is that a kingdom’s strength depends on organization and logistics as much as on weapons.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship (Rajadharma), Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on how rulers assess and assemble resources. This verse lists the components that together constitute a mobilized or acquired force used for administration and warfare.