Shloka 19
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
परं विश्वासयेत् साम्ना स्वशक्तिं चोपलक्षयेत् । आत्मन: परिमर्शेन बुद्धि बुद्धया विचारयेत्
paraṁ viśvāsayet sāmnā svaśaktiṁ copalakṣayet | ātmanaḥ parimarśena buddhiṁ buddhyā vicārayet ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Dapat munang kamtin ng hari ang tiwala ng mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mahinahong pakikipagkasundo. Dapat din niyang ipakita ang sariling lakas; at pagkatapos—sa pagsusuri sa sarili—magmuni-muni nang malinaw at magpasya kung ano ang nararapat gawin. Sa gayon, ang panghihikayat, kapangyarihang kapani-paniwala, at maingat na paghatol ang magkakasamang gumagabay sa matuwid na pamamahala.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should lead by a balanced method: win trust through gentle persuasion (sāman), maintain credibility by demonstrating strength, and finally decide action through careful self-reflection and rational deliberation.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhishma advises the king on practical statecraft: how to approach others, establish confidence, signal capability, and then choose the proper course through thoughtful judgment.