Shloka 42
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
पुरापि चैषामनुसृत्य भूमिपा: पुरेषु भोगानखिलान् जयन्ति । पुरेषु नीति विहितां यथाविधि प्रयोजयन्तो बलवृत्रसूदन
bhīṣma uvāca |
purāpi caiṣām anusṛtya bhūmipāḥ pureṣu bhogān akhilān jayanti |
pureṣu nītiṁ vihitāṁ yathāvidhi prayojayanto balavṛtrasūdana ||
毗湿摩说道：即便在往昔，护持大地的诸王亦循此道而行：他们进入敌人的城邑，依照既定之法，分毫不差地施行早已确立的治国之策。凭借井然有序的国政与因时制宜的举措，他们便能掌控对方都城中的一切享用与资财。噢，诛灭弗栗陀的因陀罗啊！此乃久经验证之途：统治者以纪律严明的治理，而非仅凭蛮力，获得胜利与昌盛。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Victory and lasting control are achieved not only by force but by disciplined, rule-based application of nīti (statecraft). A ruler should implement proper policy in conquered or contested cities so that order, compliance, and prosperity follow.
Bhīṣma, instructing on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, cites an established precedent: earlier kings would enter enemy cities and apply duly prescribed policy and administration; by such methodical governance they would secure the capital’s resources and enjoyments.