Shloka 34
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
विधानाक्रम्य मित्राणि विधानमुपकल्पयेत् । सामभेदान् विरोधार्थ विधानमुपकल्पयेत्
vidhānākramya mitrāṇi vidhānam upakalpayet | sāmabhedān virodhārtha vidhānam upakalpayet |
Bhīṣma dit : «Après avoir d’abord assuré, avec l’appui et le conseil d’amis sûrs, les dispositions nécessaires à sa propre protection, il faut ensuite délibérer sur ce qu’exige la situation et adopter la voie appropriée—conciliation, division, ou, si besoin, affrontement ouvert—afin que le dessein soit accompli.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
First secure one’s own safety and preparedness through orderly planning and trusted counsel; then choose the appropriate political-ethical means—conciliation, division, or conflict—according to what the situation truly requires.
In the Shanti Parva discourse on rajadharma, Bhishma instructs the listener on prudent governance: consult allies, establish protective arrangements, and only then decide among diplomatic or forceful measures based on circumstances.