Shloka 13
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
तत्रादानेन भिद्यन्ते गणा: संघातवृत्तय: । भिन्ना विमनस: सर्वे गच्छन्त्यरिवशं भयात्
tatrādānena bhidyante gaṇāḥ saṅghātavṛttayaḥ | bhinnā vimanasaḥ sarve gacchanty arivaśaṃ bhayāt ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Kahit ang mga samahang-bayan (gaṇa) na nabubuhay sa mahigpit na pagkakaisa ay nabibiyak kapag hindi naibibigay sa takdang oras ang nararapat na tustos. Kapag nahati, lahat ay nanghihina ang loob at nagkakasalungatan, at dahil sa takot ay napapasailalim sa kapangyarihan ng mga kaaway.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must ensure timely and fair provision (pay, food, support) to those who serve collectively; neglect (adāna) fractures unity, destroys morale, and makes the community vulnerable to enemy domination.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, he explains a practical cause of political collapse: when a united corporate body or soldiery is not properly maintained, it splits into factions and, weakened by fear and discord, becomes subject to enemies.