Shloka 13
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
सर्वलोकागमं कृत्वा मृदुत्वं गन्तुमेव च । विश्वासाद् विनयं कुर्याद् विश्वसेच्चाप्युपायत:
sarvalokāgamaṃ kṛtvā mṛdutvaṃ gantum eva ca | viśvāsād vinayaṃ kuryād viśvasec cāpy upāyataḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「万民の好意を得たなら、柔和の構えを取るがよい。信をもって謙譲と和解の振る舞いを行い、また策を尽くして慎重に信を置け。そうすれば敵意は鎮まり、争いは避けられる。とりわけ弱き王にはこの道が要る。相手方を満足させて信頼を根づかせ、恭しく請い願うことを、和平への戦略として用いよ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler—especially when weak—should seek peace through soft power: win public and opposing-side goodwill, practice humility and respectful entreaty, and build trust, while remaining prudent and strategic in how that trust is placed.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhishma advises on practical statecraft: when direct confrontation is disadvantageous, a king should reduce enmity by conciliation, confidence-building, and carefully managed trust to stop or prevent war.