Shloka 24
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत । रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते
padātibahulā senā dṛḍhā bhavati bhārata | rathāśvabahulā senā sudineṣu praśasyate ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Ô Bharata, une armée riche en fantassins devient ferme et endurante. Mais une armée abondante en chars et en chevaux n’est surtout louée que les jours beaux et secs, lorsque le sol et le temps favorisent la rapidité. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that military strength depends on context: infantry-heavy forces provide steadiness and endurance, while chariots and horses excel mainly when terrain and weather are favorable. Sound leadership matches resources to conditions rather than relying on prestige arms alone.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance and warfare, here explaining how different troop types perform under different conditions (especially fair weather versus difficult ground).