Shloka 231
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
अपि वा पज्च षट् सप्त संहता: कृतनिश्चया: । कुलीना: पूजिता: सम्यग् विजयन्तीह शात्रवान्
api vā pañca ṣaṭ sapta saṁhatāḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ | kulīnāḥ pūjitāḥ samyag vijayantīha śātravān ||
Bhīṣma bersabda: Bahkan lima, enam, atau tujuh orang pun—bila bersatu, berketetapan teguh, berasal dari keturunan mulia dan berperilaku baik, serta dihormati sebagaimana mestinya—dapat menaklukkan musuh-musuhnya di sini.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A small group can achieve victory when it is united, resolute, and properly respected; moral-social standing (kulīnatā) and due honor (pūjā) strengthen collective effectiveness more than sheer numbers.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction in the Śānti Parva, he highlights a practical principle of statecraft and ethics: cohesive, determined, and duly honored allies—even if few—can prevail over hostile forces.