Shloka 21
Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
अच्छे कुलमें उत्पन्न, परस्पर संगठित तथा राजाद्वारा सम्मानित पाँच, छः या सात वीर भी यदि दृढ़ निश्चयके साथ युद्धस्थलमें डटे रहें तो युद्धमें शत्रुओंपर भलीभाँति विजय पा सकते हैं
acche kule utpannāḥ paraspara-saṅghaṭitāḥ tathā rājñā sammānitāḥ pañca ṣaḍ vā sapta vīrā api yadi dṛḍha-niścayena yuddha-sthale daṭeyuḥ tarhi yuddhe śatrūn prati suṣṭhu vijayaṁ prāpnuyuḥ
सुजाताः संगताः शूरा राज्ञा सम्मानिताश्च ये। पञ्च षड् वा सप्त वा अपि दृढं युद्धे व्यवस्थिताः॥ तेऽपि शत्रून् जयेयुः स्युः संगत्या धैर्यतेजसा।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory in war is not determined only by numbers; a small, disciplined, mutually united group—supported and honored by rightful leadership—can prevail if it holds firm with unwavering resolve.
In Bhishma’s instruction during the Shanti Parva, he offers a practical maxim on warfare and governance: cohesion among warriors, recognition by the king, and steadfastness on the battlefield can enable even a handful of fighters to overcome enemies.