Shloka 50
दूषणेन च नागानामातड्कजननेन च । आराधनेन भक्तस्य प्रत्ययोपार्जनेन च
dūṣaṇena ca nāgānām ātaṅkajananeṇa ca | ārādhanena bhaktasya pratyayopārjanena ca
Bhīṣma sprach: „Durch das Schmähen der Schlangen, durch das Erzeugen von Furcht und Bedrängnis in ihnen; durch die Ehrung eines ergebenen Mannes und durch das Gewinnen seines Vertrauens—durch solche Mittel (stellt sich die beabsichtigte Wirkung ein).“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights practical means by which outcomes are shaped in human affairs: negative tactics like blame and intimidation can unsettle opponents, while positive tactics like honoring a loyal person and earning trust can secure cooperation. The ethical tension lies in choosing methods consistent with dharma, especially regarding manipulation versus rightful persuasion.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma is enumerating methods or factors relevant to influencing others and achieving aims. The verse lists a sequence of approaches—censure and fear toward nāgas, and reverent service plus trust-building toward a devoted person—indicating different strategies applied to different targets.