Shloka 8
Sundopasundayor Digvijayaḥ — The Conquests of Sunda and Upasunda
Nārada’s Account
मधुरेणैव राज्यस्य तेषामर्ध प्रदीयताम् एतद्धि पुरुषव्यात्र हितं सर्वजनस्य च,पुरुषसिंह! प्रेमपूर्वक ही उन्हें आधा राज्य दे दो। इसीमें सब लोगोंका हित है
madhureṇaiva rājyasya teṣām ardhaṃ pradīyatām | etad dhi puruṣavyāghra hitaṃ sarvajanasya ca ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Com palavras conciliadoras, concede-lhes metade do reino. Ó tigre entre os homens, este caminho serve verdadeiramente ao bem-estar de todos.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler should prioritize the common good and prevent escalation by choosing a fair, conciliatory settlement—here, sharing power (half the kingdom) rather than pursuing a hardline stance that harms society.
In counsel to a leading Kuru figure addressed as “puruṣavyāghra,” Bhīṣma recommends a peace-oriented political compromise: grant the opposing party half the kingdom, using gentle speech, because it best protects the welfare of all.