Shloka 12
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
चारमन्त्रबलादानै: सामदानविभेदनै: । क्षयव्ययभयोपायै: प्रकर्षन्तीतरेतरम्
cāramantrabalādānaiḥ sāmadānavibhedanaiḥ | kṣayavyayabhayopāyaiḥ prakarṣantītaretaram ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Bằng việc tung gián điệp, bàn mưu kín, gom góp và ban phát sức mạnh quân sự; bằng cách dùng hòa hoãn, tặng vật và kế ly gián; lại bằng những biện pháp làm suy kiệt, khiến hao phí nặng nề và gieo rắc sợ hãi—các vua đối địch ra sức áp đảo lẫn nhau.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma outlines the practical instruments of kingship: intelligence (spies), confidential strategy, force-building, and the classic triad of sāma–dāna–bheda, along with tactics that induce attrition, financial drain, and fear. The verse highlights how power struggles operate through both soft and hard means, raising an ethical tension central to rājadharma: effectiveness in protecting the realm versus the moral costs of manipulation and intimidation.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma is teaching Yudhishthira about political realities among rival rulers. He describes how competing kings weaken each other by sending spies, holding secret consultations, mobilizing forces, and using diplomacy, inducements, and divisive tactics, as well as measures that cause loss, expense, and fear.