Shloka 38
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
यदा स्यान्महती सेना हयनागरथाकुला । पदातियन्त्रबहुला अनुरक्ता षडज्धिनी
yadā syān mahatī senā hayanāgarathākulā | padātiyantrabahulā anuraktā ṣaḍaṅginī ||
Bhīṣma said: When a king possesses a vast army—abounding in horses, elephants, and chariots, rich in infantry and military engines, and complete in its six constituent arms—loyal and devoted to its master; and when he perceives his own side to be prospering in many ways relative to the enemy, then he should entertain no other hesitation and openly begin striking at bandits and plunderers, suppressing predation and guarding the social order in accordance with dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should act decisively against banditry and plunder once he has a strong, well-equipped, loyal, fully constituted army and sees favorable conditions. Royal power is justified here as protective force in service of dharma and public safety.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on statecraft: when the ruler’s military strength and cohesion are established and circumstances are advantageous, he should openly commence operations against criminals who prey on society.