Shloka 8
धर्म्यविजय-नियमाः
Rules for Dharmic Victory in Kṣatriya Engagement
स चेत् सन्नद्ध आगच्छेत् सन्नद्धव्यं ततो भवेत् । स चेत् ससैन्य आगच्छेत् ससैन्यस्तमथाह्वयेत्
sa cet sannaddha āgacchet sannaddhavyaṃ tato bhavet | sa cet sasainya āgacchet sasainyas tam athāhvayet ||
यदि वह कवच बाँधकर सामने आ जाए, तो स्वयं भी कवच धारण करे। और यदि वह सेना सहित आए, तो स्वयं भी अपनी सेना सहित आकर उसे ललकारे।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should respond to an aggressor with appropriate preparedness: match armor with armor and army with army. The teaching emphasizes measured, duty-bound readiness rather than either cowardice (being unprepared) or excess (unnecessary escalation).
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on rājadharma in Śānti Parva, he outlines practical norms for confronting an enemy: if the adversary approaches armed or with troops, the ruler/warrior should likewise equip himself and meet the challenge with corresponding force.