Shloka 24
उपायधर्म-सेनायोगः
Upāya-dharma and Senāyoga: Expedient Ethics & Army Deployment
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत । रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते
padātibahulā senā dṛḍhā bhavati bhārata | rathāśvabahulā senā sudineṣu praśasyate ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O Bharata, ang hukbong sagana sa mga kawal na naglalakad ay nagiging matatag at matibay. Ngunit ang hukbong hitik sa mga karwahe at kabayo ay pinupuri lalo na sa mga araw na maliwanag at tuyo—kapag ang lupa at panahon ay pabor sa mabilis na paggalaw.”
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).