Shloka 16
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
सम्भृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरज्ां युधिष्ठिर । साम्नैव वर्तये: पूर्व प्रयतेथास्ततो युधि
sambhṛtya mahatīṃ senāṃ caturajñāṃ yudhiṣṭhira | sāmnaiva vartayethāḥ pūrvaṃ prayatethāstato yudhi ||
Bhīṣma said: “O Yudhiṣṭhira, having mustered a great fourfold army, you should first seek to accomplish your purpose through conciliation alone; only thereafter should you strive in battle.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one possesses strength (a large fourfold army), dharma-guided leadership prioritizes peaceful means—conciliation and negotiation—before resorting to warfare; force is a last resort.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (kingly conduct), advising him to attempt reconciliation first and only then, if necessary, engage in battle.