Shloka 13

Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies

Gaṇa-nīti

Devanagari script

तत्रादानेन भिद्यन्ते गणा: संघातवृत्तय: । भिन्ना विमनस: सर्वे गच्छन्त्यरिवशं भयात्‌

Transliteration

tatrādānena bhidyante gaṇāḥ saṅghātavṛttayaḥ | bhinnā vimanasaḥ sarve gacchanty arivaśaṃ bhayāt ||

Translation

ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ— ସଂଘବଦ୍ଧ ହୋଇ ଜୀବନ ଚାଲାଉଥିବା ଗଣମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସମୟରେ ଯଥୋଚିତ ଯୋଗାଣ (ଅନ୍ନ/ବେତନ) ନ ପାଇଲେ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଯାନ୍ତି। ଭାଙ୍ଗିଗଲେ ସମସ୍ତେ ମନଖିନ୍ନ ହୋଇ ପରସ୍ପର ବିରୋଧୀ ହୁଅନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଭୟରୁ ଶତ୍ରୁଙ୍କ ଅଧୀନକୁ ଯାଆନ୍ତି।

Word by Word

• तत्र: there/therein
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• अदानेन: by non-giving (by withholding)
• अदानेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अदान
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• भिद्यन्ते: are split / break apart
• Type: Verb
• Root: भिद्
• Form: Present, Atmanepada (passive-like sense), Third, Plural

• गणाः: groups / troops / corporations
• गणाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• संघातवृत्तयः: those whose mode of life is in a compact body (living by union)
• संघातवृत्तयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: संघात-वृत्ति
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• भिन्नाः: split, divided
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भिन्न
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• विमनसः: dejected / ill-disposed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमनस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• गच्छन्ति: go / fall into
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम्
• Form: Present, Parasmaipada, Third, Plural

• अरिवशम्: enemy’s control/subjection
• अरिवशम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरि-वश
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• भयात्: from fear / out of fear
• भयात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• gaṇa (corporate/republican body)
• ari (enemy)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler must ensure timely and fair provision (pay, food, support) to those who serve collectively; neglect (adāna) fractures unity, destroys morale, and makes the community vulnerable to enemy domination.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Bhishma’s instruction on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, he explains a practical cause of political collapse: when a united corporate body or soldiery is not properly maintained, it splits into factions and, weakened by fear and discord, becomes subject to enemies.