Shloka 13
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
सर्वलोकागमं कृत्वा मृदुत्वं गन्तुमेव च । विश्वासाद् विनयं कुर्याद् विश्वसेच्चाप्युपायत:
sarvalokāgamaṃ kṛtvā mṛdutvaṃ gantum eva ca | viśvāsād vinayaṃ kuryād viśvasec cāpy upāyataḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Kapag nakuha na ang mabuting kalooban ng lahat, dapat magpakita ng kahinahunan. Sa bisa ng tiwala, gumamit ng pagpapakumbaba at pakikipagkasundo; at magtiwala rin—ngunit may pag-iingat at may paraan—upang mapawi ang poot at maiwasan ang alitan. Lalo itong para sa haring mahina: palambutin ang kaaway sa pagbigay-lugod sa kanilang panig, pagpapatatag ng tiwala, at magalang na pamamanhik bilang landas tungo sa kapayapaan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler—especially when weak—should seek peace through soft power: win public and opposing-side goodwill, practice humility and respectful entreaty, and build trust, while remaining prudent and strategic in how that trust is placed.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhishma advises on practical statecraft: when direct confrontation is disadvantageous, a king should reduce enmity by conciliation, confidence-building, and carefully managed trust to stop or prevent war.