Shloka 12
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
चारमन्त्रबलादानै: सामदानविभेदनै: । क्षयव्ययभयोपायै: प्रकर्षन्तीतरेतरम्,वे भेद लेनेके लिये गुप्तचरोंको भेजते हैं, गुप्त मन्त्रणाएँ करते तथा सेना एकत्र करनेमें लग जाते हैं। साम, दान और भेदनीतिके प्रयोग करते हैं, तथा जन-संहार, अपार धनराशिके व्यय एवं अनेक प्रकारके भय उपस्थित करनेवाले विविध उपायोंद्वारा एक-दूसरेको दुर्बल कर देते हैं
cāramantrabalādānaiḥ sāmadānavibhedanaiḥ | kṣayavyayabhayopāyaiḥ prakarṣantītaretaram ||
भीष्म उवाच— चारैर्मन्त्रगुप्तैर्बलादानैः सैन्यसंग्रहैश्च; सामदानभेदोपायैः; तथा क्षयव्ययभयहेतुभिर्विविधोपायैः परस्परं प्रकर्षन्ति नृपाः।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma outlines the practical instruments of kingship: intelligence (spies), confidential strategy, force-building, and the classic triad of sāma–dāna–bheda, along with tactics that induce attrition, financial drain, and fear. The verse highlights how power struggles operate through both soft and hard means, raising an ethical tension central to rājadharma: effectiveness in protecting the realm versus the moral costs of manipulation and intimidation.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma is teaching Yudhishthira about political realities among rival rulers. He describes how competing kings weaken each other by sending spies, holding secret consultations, mobilizing forces, and using diplomacy, inducements, and divisive tactics, as well as measures that cause loss, expense, and fear.