Shloka 12
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
चारमन्त्रबलादानै: सामदानविभेदनै: । क्षयव्ययभयोपायै: प्रकर्षन्तीतरेतरम्
cāramantrabalādānaiḥ sāmadānavibhedanaiḥ | kṣayavyayabhayopāyaiḥ prakarṣantītaretaram ||
毗湿摩说道：“他们派遣间谍，密议筹谋，聚集并施予军力；运用和解、馈赠与离间之策；又以使对方耗竭、巨额支出并滋生恐惧的种种手段，诸敌对之王竞相压倒彼此。”
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.