Shloka 12
जनकस्य युद्धोपदेशः — Janaka’s Instruction on Steadfast Battle-Conduct
हर्षयेयुविंषण्णांश्व व्यवस्थाप्य परस्परम् । जितां च भूमिं रक्षेत भग्नान् नात्यनुसारयेत्
harṣayeya viṣaṇṇānś ca vyavasthāpya parasparam | jitāṃ ca bhūmiṃ rakṣeta bhagnān nātyanusarayet ||
Bhīṣma dit : Si ses troupes se découragent ou commencent à mollir, le commandant doit les rétablir dans leur formation correcte, les disposer de façon qu’elles se soutiennent mutuellement, et ranimer leur joie et leur ardeur au combat. Qu’il assure et protège le terrain déjà conquis ; mais qu’il ne poursuive pas trop loin l’ennemi en déroute, même s’il fuit vaincu.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A righteous commander balances courage with restraint: restore morale and formation, consolidate gains by securing conquered ground, and avoid overextension by chasing a defeated enemy too far.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma and conduct in war, he outlines practical battlefield counsel: re-form dispirited troops, encourage them, hold captured positions, and refrain from excessive pursuit of fleeing opponents.