Shloka 14
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
अपचिक्रमिषु: क्षिप्रं साम्ना वा परिसान्त्वयन् । विलड्घयित्वा मन्त्रेण तत: स्वयमुपक्रमेत्
apacikramiṣuḥ kṣipraṃ sāmnā vā parisāntvayan | vilaṅghayitvā mantreṇa tataḥ svayam upakramet ||
ビーシュマは言った。「退かざるを得ぬ時は、速やかに退け——和睦と柔らかな説得によってでもよいし、策謀と計略によって敵を出し抜いてでもよい。かくして城塞や危地から安全に脱したなら、しかるべき時を待て。やがて賢者・高徳の人々の同意を得て、失ったもの——財であれ、王国であれ——を取り戻す努力を始めよ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Retreat can be a dharmically valid strategy when it prevents needless destruction and preserves the capacity to restore justice later; one should withdraw swiftly, use conciliation or prudent counsel, and then attempt recovery at the right time with wise support.
In Bhishma’s instruction on governance and conduct under pressure, he outlines how a threatened party should escape danger—by pacifying opponents or by strategic counsel—and later, after time and consultation with respected advisers, begin efforts to regain lost property or rule.