Shloka 14
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
शब्दा: स्पर्शास्तथा गन्धा विचरन्ति मनःप्रिया: । धैर्य चाविशते योधान् विजयस्य मुखं च तत्
bhīṣma uvāca | śabdāḥ sparśās tathā gandhā vicaranti manaḥpriyāḥ | dhairyaṃ cāviśate yodhān vijayasya mukhaṃ ca tat ||
Bhishma said: When pleasing sounds, touches, and fragrances spread all around and courage enters into the warriors’ hearts, that condition is to be understood as the very gateway to victory.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory is not only a matter of weapons and numbers; it is preceded by inner steadiness (dhairya) and a favorable mental atmosphere—when the senses register confidence and well-being, warriors become psychologically ready, and that readiness is itself the ‘gateway’ to success.
In Bhishma’s instruction (Shanti Parva), he describes indicators of impending success in a martial context: pleasing sensory conditions and the arising of courage within fighters are presented as signs that the moment is turning toward victory.