Shloka 14
Daṇḍanīti and the King as the Cause of Yuga-Order (दण्डनीतिः राजधर्मश्च युगकारणत्वम्)
यदा तु हीन॑ नृपतिर्विद्यादात्मानमात्मना । अमात्यै: सह सम्मन्त्रय कुर्यात् संधिं बलीयसा,यदि राजाको अपना पक्ष स्वयं ही निर्बल जान पड़े तो मन्त्रियोंस सलाह लेकर बलवान् शत्रुके साथ संधि कर ले
yadā tu hīnaḥ nṛpatir vidyād ātmānam ātmanā | amātyaiḥ saha sammantrya kuryāt sandhiṃ balīyasā ||
రాజు తన స్వబుద్ధితోనే తన స్థితి బలహీనమని గ్రహించినప్పుడు, మంత్రులతో కలిసి సమ్యకంగా ఆలోచించి బలవంతుడైన శత్రువుతో సంధి చేయాలి.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should realistically assess his own strength; if he is weak, he should consult his ministers and make a treaty with a stronger opponent to protect the kingdom and subjects. Prideful refusal of peace when one is overmatched is presented as unethical and imprudent.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, he advises Yudhiṣṭhira on policy choices. Here he outlines a diplomatic rule: when weakness is evident, deliberate with counsellors and conclude sandhi (peace/alliance) with the stronger power.