Shloka 5
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
सेनयोर्व्यतिषज्रेण जय: साधारणो भवेत् । किंकुर्वाणं न मां जह्याज्ज्वलिता श्री:प्रतापिनी
senayor vyatiṣajreṇa jayaḥ sādhāraṇo bhavet | kiṃ kurvāṇaṃ na māṃ jahyāj jvalitā śrīḥ pratāpinī ||
毗湿摩说道：“当两军近身纠缠、短兵相接之时，胜利便成了双方皆可能得之而又难以预定之事——不再有必定某方独胜的定则。故而，我当如何行事，才能使这炽烈辉煌、载荣耀而灼敌的王者之福（室利），永不离我？”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the chaos of close battle, outcomes are not guaranteed; therefore a ruler should seek the conduct and policies that preserve śrī (legitimate royal prosperity and authority) rather than relying on mere chance in war.
Bhishma, speaking in the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, reflects on how victory can become uncertain once armies clash, and asks what course of action will ensure that radiant royal fortune does not desert him.