Vāmadeva’s Rājadharma: Norm-Setting, Counsel, and the Prevention of Rāṣṭra-Vināśa (वामदेव-प्रोक्तं राजधर्मम्)
अथ यो गुणसम्पन्नान् हृदयस्यथाप्रियानपि । प्रियेण कुरुते वश्यांश्वचिरं यशसि तिष्ठति
atha yo guṇasampannān hṛdayasyātha priyān api | priyeṇa kurute vaśyāṁśv aciraṁ yaśasi tiṣṭhati ||
Vāmadeva said: One who, with affectionate regard, wins over even those who are virtuous and dear to his heart, soon becomes firmly established in good repute.
वामदेव उवाच
Affectionate, pleasing conduct is an ethical and practical force: it makes even virtuous and close people willingly cooperative, and it quickly results in stable good reputation.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, the sage Vāmadeva states a maxim about interpersonal governance: winning people through kindness and what is pleasing leads to influence and enduring fame.