Jaitrya-nimitta: Signs of Prospective Victory and the Priority of Conciliation (जयलक्षण-निमित्त तथा सान्त्व-प्रधान नीति)
अपि वा पज्च षट् सप्त संहता: कृतनिश्चया: । कुलीना: पूजिता: सम्यग् विजयन्तीह शात्रवान्
api vā pañca ṣaṭ sapta saṁhatāḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ | kulīnāḥ pūjitāḥ samyag vijayantīha śātravān ||
毗湿摩曰:纵使仅五人、六人或七人——若能同心合力,志决不移,出身端正、行止清白,并得其应得之敬礼——亦能于此战胜诸敌。
भीष्म उवाच
A small group can achieve victory when it is united, resolute, and properly respected; moral-social standing (kulīnatā) and due honor (pūjā) strengthen collective effectiveness more than sheer numbers.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction in the Śānti Parva, he highlights a practical principle of statecraft and ethics: cohesive, determined, and duly honored allies—even if few—can prevail over hostile forces.