Shloka 16
Ānṛśaṃsya, Amātya-Guṇa, and Reconciliatory Counsel (आनृशंस्य–अमात्यगुण–संधि-उपदेशः)
त्वं चापि प्रतियुद्धयेथा विजिगीषुव्रते स्थित: । अयुध्वैव नियोगान्मे वशे कुरु हिते स्थित:
tvaṃ cāpi pratiyuddhyethā vijigīṣuvrate sthitaḥ | ayudhvaiva niyogān me vaśe kuru hite sthitaḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Engkau juga, teguh dalam ikrar seorang raja yang mendambakan kemenangan, pasti akan bertempur dengannya. Maka patuhilah perintahku: demi kebajikannya, tundukkan dia tanpa berperang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one is committed to conquest, dharma can require restraint: the higher aim is welfare (hita). Bhishma advises achieving control through non-violent means when possible, prioritizing benefit over mere victory.
Bhishma instructs the listener (a ruler or would-be conqueror) that battle is likely given his conquering resolve, but commands him instead to act for the other party’s good and to bring him under control without resorting to fighting.