Shloka 253
अर्था: प्रत्यवसीदन्ति तथानर्था भवन्ति च । गणके मुख्य-मुख्य व्यक्तियोंको परस्पर मिलकर समस्त गणराज्यके हितका साधन करना चाहिये; अन्यथा यदि संघमें फूट होकर पृथक्-पृथक् कई दलोंका विस्तार हो जाय तो उसके सभी कार्य बिगड़ जाते और बहुत-से अनर्थ पैदा हो जाते हैं
arthāḥ pratyavasīdanti tathānarthā bhavanti ca |
Bhishma says: When a community loses cohesion, its legitimate aims and resources sink into failure, and in their place misfortunes arise. Therefore, the leading members of a republic or council should act in concert for the common good; but if the confederation fractures into rival factions, its undertakings collapse and many harms are born.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Collective welfare depends on unity: when leaders cooperate, shared goals (artha) are achieved; when factions form, objectives fail and harms (anartha) multiply.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and public policy, Bhishma advises the listener on how councils or republic-like assemblies should function—warning that internal division destroys effectiveness and invites calamity.