Shloka 12
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
शस्त्रैर्यन्त्रै: कवचै: केतुभिश्न सुभानुभिम्मुखवर्णश्न यूनाम् । भ्राजिष्मती दुष्प्रतिवीक्षणीया येषां चमूस्तेडभिभवन्ति शत्रून्
śastrair yantraiḥ kavacaiḥ ketubhiś ca subhānubhir mukhavarṇaiś ca yūnām | bhrājiṣmatī duṣprativīkṣaṇīyā yeṣāṃ camūs te ’bhibhavanti śatrūn ||
Bhishma bersabda: Mereka yang bala tentaranya dihiasi aneka senjata, mesin perang, zirah, dan panji-panji—yang para prajurit mudanya memancarkan sinar elok dari wajah mereka sehingga pasukan itu tampak gemilang dan sukar ditatap musuh—mereka pasti menundukkan kekuatan lawan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory is not only a matter of striking power but also of preparedness and morale: an army well-equipped (weapons, armor, war-devices, banners) and visibly confident can intimidate and psychologically weaken the enemy, enabling conquest.
In Shanti Parva’s rājadharma-oriented instruction, Bhishma describes a mark of a conquering force: a splendid, well-armed host whose youthful soldiers radiate confidence, making opponents hesitate even to look upon them.