Shloka 24
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
सान्त्वेन तु प्रदानेन भेदेन च नराधिप । यदर्थ शवनुयात् प्राप्तुं तेन तुष्पेत पण्डित:,जो बुद्धिमान् राजा राज्यका हित चाहे, उसे सदा युद्धको टालनेका ही प्रयत्न करना चाहिये। नरेश्वर! बृहस्पतिजीने साम, दान और भेद--इन तीन उपायोंसे ही राजाके लिये धनकी आय बतायी है। इन उपायोंसे जो धन प्राप्त किया जा सके, उसीसे विद्वान् राजाको संतुष्ट होना चाहिये
sāntvena tu pradānena bhedena ca narādhipa | yadarthaṃ saṃvanuyāt prāptuṃ tena tuṣyet paṇḍitaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “O lord of men, by conciliation, by giving, and by creating divisions—by these means a ruler may obtain what he seeks. The wise should be content with whatever can be gained through such measures.” In ethical terms, Bhīṣma advises the king to prefer non-violent statecraft—persuasion, generosity, and strategic diplomacy—over the resort to open conflict, and to restrain greed by accepting only what can be secured through these comparatively dharmic methods.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should prioritize non-violent and pragmatic means—conciliation (sāma), gifts (dāna), and strategic division (bheda)—to achieve political aims, and should practice restraint by being satisfied with gains obtainable through these methods rather than escalating to war.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is advising the king (Yudhiṣṭhira in the broader dialogue) on practical governance: how to secure objectives and resources through diplomacy and policy rather than through direct violence, emphasizing wise contentment and avoidance of unnecessary conflict.