Shloka 27
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
आन्तराणां च भेदार्थ चरान भ्यवचारयेत् । यश्न तस्मात् परो राजा तेन सन्धि: प्रशस्यते
āntarāṇāṁ ca bhedārthaṁ carān abhyavacārayet | yaś ca tasmāt paro rājā tena sandhiḥ praśasyate ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Para sembrar la discordia en el círculo íntimo del enemigo, deben enviarse espías con sigilo. Y con aquel rey que es más fuerte que uno mismo, hacer un tratado es el camino más sabio y más digno de elogio».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches pragmatic rāja-nīti: use intelligence operations to weaken an enemy internally, but when facing a stronger ruler, choose sandhi (treaty) as the ethically and strategically preferable option to avoid ruin and preserve the kingdom.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship and governance, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on methods of dealing with rivals—covertly gathering influence through spies and, when necessary, pursuing peace through alliance with a superior power.