Shloka 16
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
सम्भृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरज्ां युधिष्ठिर । साम्नैव वर्तये: पूर्व प्रयतेथास्ततो युधि
sambhṛtya mahatīṃ senāṃ caturajñāṃ yudhiṣṭhira | sāmnaiva vartayethāḥ pūrvaṃ prayatethāstato yudhi ||
भीष्म उवाच—सम्भृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरङ्गां युधिष्ठिर। साम्नैव वर्तयेः पूर्वं प्रयतेथास्ततो युधि॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one possesses strength (a large fourfold army), dharma-guided leadership prioritizes peaceful means—conciliation and negotiation—before resorting to warfare; force is a last resort.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (kingly conduct), advising him to attempt reconciliation first and only then, if necessary, engage in battle.