Shloka 42
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
पुरापि चैषामनुसृत्य भूमिपा: पुरेषु भोगानखिलान् जयन्ति । पुरेषु नीति विहितां यथाविधि प्रयोजयन्तो बलवृत्रसूदन
bhīṣma uvāca |
purāpi caiṣām anusṛtya bhūmipāḥ pureṣu bhogān akhilān jayanti |
pureṣu nītiṁ vihitāṁ yathāvidhi prayojayanto balavṛtrasūdana ||
Bhishma said: Even in former times, kings who protected the earth would follow this very course: entering the enemy’s cities, they would apply—exactly as prescribed—the policy that has been duly established. By employing such well-ordered statecraft and acting in a manner suited to the situation, they would gain mastery over all enjoyments and resources in the adversary’s capital. O Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, this is the proven way by which rulers secure victory and prosperity through disciplined governance rather than mere force.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory and lasting control are achieved not only by force but by disciplined, rule-based application of nīti (statecraft). A ruler should implement proper policy in conquered or contested cities so that order, compliance, and prosperity follow.
Bhīṣma, instructing on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, cites an established precedent: earlier kings would enter enemy cities and apply duly prescribed policy and administration; by such methodical governance they would secure the capital’s resources and enjoyments.