Shloka 24
Adharmic Victory as Unstable; Rules of Restraint, Mediation, and Conciliation (अधर्मविजय-अध्रुवत्व तथा क्षमा-नयः)
सर्वविद्यातिरेकेण जयमिच्छेन्महीपति: । न मायया न दम्भेन य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:
sarvavidyātirekeṇa jayam icchen mahīpatiḥ | na māyayā na dambhena ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ଯେ ରାଜା ନିଜ ବୈଭବ ବଢ଼ାଇବାକୁ ଚାହେ, ସେ ସମସ୍ତ ବିଦ୍ୟାରେ ଉତ୍କର୍ଷ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଜୟ ଆଶା କରୁ; ମାୟା କିମ୍ବା ଦମ୍ଭ-ପାଖଣ୍ଡ ଦ୍ୱାରା ନୁହେଁ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should pursue success and the growth of his realm through genuine excellence—especially mastery of knowledge and skills—rather than through deception, pretence, or hollow display.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhishma continues advising on ideal kingship, emphasizing that lasting victory and prosperity arise from cultivated learning and capability, not from manipulative tactics or hypocrisy.