Shloka 16
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
सम्भृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरज्ां युधिष्ठिर । साम्नैव वर्तये: पूर्व प्रयतेथास्ततो युधि
sambhṛtya mahatīṃ senāṃ caturajñāṃ yudhiṣṭhira | sāmnaiva vartayethāḥ pūrvaṃ prayatethāstato yudhi ||
भीष्म ने कहा—हे युधिष्ठिर! चतुरंगिणी महान् सेना जुटाकर भी पहले केवल साम से ही अपना प्रयोजन सिद्ध करने का प्रयत्न करो; उसके बाद ही युद्ध में प्रवृत्त होना।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one possesses strength (a large fourfold army), dharma-guided leadership prioritizes peaceful means—conciliation and negotiation—before resorting to warfare; force is a last resort.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (kingly conduct), advising him to attempt reconciliation first and only then, if necessary, engage in battle.