Shloka 9
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
ऋष्टयस्तोमरा: खड्गा निशिताश्न परश्वधा: । फलकान्यथ चर्माणि प्रतिकल्प्यान्यनेकश:
ṛṣṭayas tomarāḥ khaḍgā niśitāśn paraśvadhāḥ | phalakāny atha carmāṇi pratikalpyāny anekaśaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Let spears, javelins, swords, and keen-edged axes be prepared in abundance; likewise let bucklers and leather shields be fashioned in many kinds. A king, O son of Kuntī, should keep such defensive and offensive equipment ready in large quantity, so that protection of troops and beasts (especially elephants) and the maintenance of order in times of danger may never depend on chance.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes practical preparedness: maintaining adequate arms and defensive gear so that protection of the realm and its forces is assured when threats arise.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma, listing specific weapons and protective items that should be manufactured and kept ready in large quantities as part of responsible kingship.