Shloka 11
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
अनुरुक्तेन चेष्टेन हृष्टन जगतीपति: । अल्पेनापि हि सैन्येन महीं जयति भूमिप:
anuruktena ceṣṭena hṛṣṭo jagatīpatiḥ | alpenāpi hi sainyena mahīṃ jayati bhūmipaḥ, yadi senā svāmike prati anurāga rakhanevālī, priya aur hṛṣṭa-puṣṭa ho to us thoṛī-sī senā ke dvārā bhī rājā pṛthvī par vijaya pā sakatā hai |
ビーシュマは言った。「国土の主が忠誠なる振る舞いによって喜ぶなら、たとえ小勢であっても王は大地を征し得る——その軍が主君を慕い、深く帰依し、士気高く、健やかで糧に満ちているならば。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s success depends not merely on the size of the forces but on the army’s devotion to its leader, disciplined conduct, and high morale; a loyal and well-cared-for force can achieve great victories even when small.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on royal duty and governance, Bhishma advises the king that winning and stability come from cultivating the troops’ loyalty and well-being; he frames military effectiveness as an ethical responsibility of the ruler.