Shloka 5
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
सेनयोर्व्यतिषज्रेण जय: साधारणो भवेत् । किंकुर्वाणं न मां जह्याज्ज्वलिता श्री:प्रतापिनी
senayor vyatiṣajreṇa jayaḥ sādhāraṇo bhavet | kiṃ kurvāṇaṃ na māṃ jahyāj jvalitā śrīḥ pratāpinī ||
Bhishma said: “When two armies become entangled in close combat, victory becomes a common and uncertain outcome—there is no fixed rule that only one side must prevail. Therefore, what should I do so that this blazing, glory-bearing royal fortune—one that scorches my enemies—never abandons me?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the chaos of close battle, outcomes are not guaranteed; therefore a ruler should seek the conduct and policies that preserve śrī (legitimate royal prosperity and authority) rather than relying on mere chance in war.
Bhishma, speaking in the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, reflects on how victory can become uncertain once armies clash, and asks what course of action will ensure that radiant royal fortune does not desert him.