Shloka 24
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत । रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते
padātibahulā senā dṛḍhā bhavati bhārata | rathāśvabahulā senā sudineṣu praśasyate ||
Bhishma said: “O Bharata, an army that is rich in infantry becomes firm and resilient. But an army abounding in chariots and horses is praised chiefly on fair, dry days—when the ground and weather favor swift movement.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that military strength depends on context: infantry-heavy forces provide steadiness and endurance, while chariots and horses excel mainly when terrain and weather are favorable. Sound leadership matches resources to conditions rather than relying on prestige arms alone.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance and warfare, here explaining how different troop types perform under different conditions (especially fair weather versus difficult ground).