Shloka 8
धर्म्यविजय-नियमाः
Rules for Dharmic Victory in Kṣatriya Engagement
स चेत् सन्नद्ध आगच्छेत् सन्नद्धव्यं ततो भवेत् । स चेत् ससैन्य आगच्छेत् ससैन्यस्तमथाह्वयेत्
sa cet sannaddha āgacchet sannaddhavyaṃ tato bhavet | sa cet sasainya āgacchet sasainyas tam athāhvayet ||
Bhīṣma said: “If the opponent comes fully armed, then one should likewise arm oneself. If he advances supported by an army, then one should also come with one’s own forces and challenge him.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should respond to an aggressor with appropriate preparedness: match armor with armor and army with army. The teaching emphasizes measured, duty-bound readiness rather than either cowardice (being unprepared) or excess (unnecessary escalation).
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma in Śānti Parva, he outlines practical norms for confronting an enemy: if the adversary approaches armed or with troops, the ruler/warrior should likewise equip himself and meet the challenge with corresponding force.