Shloka 19
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
चारमन्त्रविधानेषु कोशसंनिचयेषु च । नित्ययुक्ता महाबाहो वर्धन्ते सर्वती गणा:,महाबाहु युधिष्ठिर! गणराज्यके नागरिक गुप्तचर या दूतका काम करने, राज्यके हितके लिये गुप्त मन्त्रणा करने, विधान बनाने तथा राज्यके लिये कोश-संग्रह करने आदिके लिये सदा उद्यत रहते हैं, इसीलिये सब ओरसे उनकी उन्नति होती है
cāramantravidhāneṣu kośasaṃnicayeṣu ca | nityayuktā mahābāho vardhante sarvatī gaṇāḥ ||
Bhishma said: O mighty-armed one, when the members of a republic are constantly engaged in the work of intelligence and diplomacy, in confidential deliberations for the welfare of the state, in framing ordinances, and in accumulating the treasury, they prosper on every side. The ethical point is that collective vigilance, disciplined counsel, and steady public finance are the foundations of a flourishing polity.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A polity—especially a gaṇa or republic—prospers when its members are consistently disciplined in (1) intelligence and diplomacy, (2) confidential policy deliberation aimed at public welfare, (3) sound lawmaking/administration, and (4) careful accumulation and protection of the treasury.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira about the practical causes of a state’s stability and growth, highlighting how organized collective effort in counsel, legislation, intelligence, and finance leads to all-round prosperity for a republican assembly.