Shloka 44
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
हस्तिनो<श्वा रथा: पत्तिर्नावो विष्टिस्तथैव च । देशिकाश्चनाविकाश्वैव तदष्टाड़ं बल॑ स्मृतम्,हाथी, घोड़े, रथ, पैदल, नौका, बेगार, देशकी प्रजा तथा भेड़ आदि पशु--ये आठ अंगोंवाला बल आहार्य माना गया है
hastino 'śvā rathāḥ pattir nāvo viṣṭis tathaiva ca | deśikāś ca nāvikāś caiva tad aṣṭāṅgaṃ balaṃ smṛtam ||
હાથી, ઘોડા, રથ અને પદાતિ; નૌકાઓ; બેગાર (વિષ્ટિ); દેશની પ્રજા; તેમજ નાવિકો—આ બધાં મળીને ‘આહાર્ય’ એટલે એકત્રિત કરાયેલ બળના આઠ અંગો કહેવાય છે.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma defines ‘bala’ (state power) as an eightfold, practical system: combat arms (elephants, horses, chariots, infantry) plus transport and manpower (boats, boatmen, local populace, and even compelled labour). The point is that a kingdom’s strength depends on organization and logistics as much as on weapons.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship (Rajadharma), Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on how rulers assess and assemble resources. This verse lists the components that together constitute a mobilized or acquired force used for administration and warfare.