Shloka 19
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
परं विश्वासयेत् साम्ना स्वशक्तिं चोपलक्षयेत् । आत्मन: परिमर्शेन बुद्धि बुद्धया विचारयेत्
paraṁ viśvāsayet sāmnā svaśaktiṁ copalakṣayet | ātmanaḥ parimarśena buddhiṁ buddhyā vicārayet ||
राजा को चाहिए कि वह मधुर साम से लोगों का विश्वास जीते। साथ ही अपनी शक्ति का भी यथोचित परिचय दे; और फिर आत्मपरामर्श करके, स्पष्ट बुद्धि से विचार कर, जो कर्तव्य हो उसका निश्चय करे।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should lead by a balanced method: win trust through gentle persuasion (sāman), maintain credibility by demonstrating strength, and finally decide action through careful self-reflection and rational deliberation.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhishma advises the king on practical statecraft: how to approach others, establish confidence, signal capability, and then choose the proper course through thoughtful judgment.