Shloka 55
Sainyasaṅgraha and Bhāga-Vyavasthā (Forces Assembled and Rival Allocations) | सैन्यसंग्रह-भागव्यवस्था
पौरुषं दर्शयजञ्शूरो यस्तिछेदग्रत: पुमान् क्रीणीयात् तं सहस्नेण इति नीतिमतां मतम्
sañjaya uvāca | pauruṣaṃ darśayan śūro yas tiṣṭhed agrataḥ pumān krīṇīyāt taṃ sahasreṇa iti nītimatāṃ matam |
Sanjaya said: “O scorcher of foes, whatever you decide to do will be auspicious for us. The wise in statecraft hold this view: a heroic man who, displaying his valor, stands in front of soldiers who have been routed on the battlefield and are fleeing for refuge—steadying them and removing their fear—should be won over even at the price of a thousand (in wealth).”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strategic ethics (nīti) values morale-leadership: the person who can halt panic and rally fleeing troops by standing at the front is so crucial that he is worth securing even with great wealth.
Sanjaya addresses 'Parantapa' and affirms that his decision will be beneficial; he then cites a maxim of political wisdom praising the battlefield leader who steadies defeated, frightened soldiers and urging that such a person be won to one’s side at high cost.