Shloka 13
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
सर्वलोकागमं कृत्वा मृदुत्वं गन्तुमेव च । विश्वासाद् विनयं कुर्याद् विश्वसेच्चाप्युपायत:
sarvalokāgamaṃ kṛtvā mṛdutvaṃ gantum eva ca | viśvāsād vinayaṃ kuryād viśvasec cāpy upāyataḥ ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: Habiendo ganado la buena voluntad de todos, conviene adoptar una postura suave. Por confianza, debe practicarse la humildad y la conducta conciliadora; y también ha de depositarse confianza—con prudencia y con medios hábiles—para que se apacigüe la hostilidad y se evite el conflicto. Este consejo va sobre todo al rey más débil: ablanda al enemigo satisfaciendo a su bando, afianzando la confianza y recurriendo a una súplica respetuosa como vía estratégica hacia la paz.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler—especially when weak—should seek peace through soft power: win public and opposing-side goodwill, practice humility and respectful entreaty, and build trust, while remaining prudent and strategic in how that trust is placed.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhishma advises on practical statecraft: when direct confrontation is disadvantageous, a king should reduce enmity by conciliation, confidence-building, and carefully managed trust to stop or prevent war.