Shloka 14
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
सम्प्रधार्य सहामात्यैर्मन्त्रविद्धिर्महात्मभि: । उपेक्ष्यमाणो5वज्ञातो हृदयेनापराजित:
sampradhārya sahāmātyair mantraviddhir mahātmabhiḥ | upekṣyamāṇo 'vajñāto hṛdayenāparājitaḥ ||
Bhishma dit : «Après avoir mûrement délibéré avec ses ministres—âmes magnanimes expertes en conseil—quand bien même on le négligerait et le traiterait avec mépris, il demeure invaincu dans son cœur, inébranlable au-dedans.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler (or any leader) should deliberate wisely with capable ministers and maintain inner steadiness; even if ignored or insulted, one should remain inwardly undefeated—guided by reasoned counsel rather than wounded pride.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous governance and conduct, Bhīṣma continues advising on the qualities and resilience of a prudent leader: after consulting skilled advisers, he endures neglect and contempt without inner collapse.