Shloka 27
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
आन्तराणां च भेदार्थ चरान भ्यवचारयेत् । यश्न तस्मात् परो राजा तेन सन्धि: प्रशस्यते
āntarāṇāṁ ca bhedārthaṁ carān abhyavacārayet | yaś ca tasmāt paro rājā tena sandhiḥ praśasyate ||
Bhīṣma said: “To create dissension within the enemy’s inner circle, one should discreetly deploy spies. And with that king who is stronger than oneself, making a treaty is the wiser and more commendable course.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches pragmatic rāja-nīti: use intelligence operations to weaken an enemy internally, but when facing a stronger ruler, choose sandhi (treaty) as the ethically and strategically preferable option to avoid ruin and preserve the kingdom.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship and governance, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on methods of dealing with rivals—covertly gathering influence through spies and, when necessary, pursuing peace through alliance with a superior power.