Shloka 24
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत । रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते,भरतनन्दन! जिस सेनामें पैदलोंकी संख्या बहुत अधिक हो, वह मजबूत होती है। जिसमें रथों और घोड़ोंकी संख्या बढ़ी हुई हो, वह सेना अच्छे दिनोंमें (जबकि वर्षा न होती हो) अच्छी मानी जाती है
padātibahulā senā dṛḍhā bhavati bhārata | rathāśvabahulā senā sudineṣu praśasyate ||
Disse Bhīṣma: “Ó Bharata, um exército rico em infantaria torna-se firme e resistente. Mas um exército abundante em carros e cavalos é louvado sobretudo em dias claros e secos — quando o solo e o tempo favorecem o movimento veloz.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that military strength depends on context: infantry-heavy forces provide steadiness and endurance, while chariots and horses excel mainly when terrain and weather are favorable. Sound leadership matches resources to conditions rather than relying on prestige arms alone.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance and warfare, here explaining how different troop types perform under different conditions (especially fair weather versus difficult ground).