Shloka 11
अनुरुक्तेन चेष्टेन हृष्टन जगतीपति: । अल्पेनापि हि सैन्येन महीं जयति भूमिप:,यदि सेना स्वामीके प्रति अनुराग रखनेवाली, प्रिय और हृष्ट-पुष्ट हो तो उस थोड़ी-सी सेनाके द्वारा भी राजा पृथ्वीपर विजय पा सकता है
anuruktena ceṣṭena hṛṣṭo jagatīpatiḥ | alpenāpi hi sainyena mahīṃ jayati bhūmipaḥ, yadi senā svāmike prati anurāga rakhanevālī, priya aur hṛṣṭa-puṣṭa ho to us thoṛī-sī senā ke dvārā bhī rājā pṛthvī par vijaya pā sakatā hai |
Bhishma said: When the lord of the realm is pleased by loyal conduct, even with a small army a king can conquer the earth—provided that army is affectionate, devoted to its master, and cheerful and well-nourished.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s success depends not merely on the size of the forces but on the army’s devotion to its leader, disciplined conduct, and high morale; a loyal and well-cared-for force can achieve great victories even when small.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on royal duty and governance, Bhishma advises the king that winning and stability come from cultivating the troops’ loyalty and well-being; he frames military effectiveness as an ethical responsibility of the ruler.