Shloka 20
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
प्राज्ञान् शूरान् महोत्साहान् कर्मसु स्थिरपौरुषान् । मानयन्तः सदा युक्ता विवर्धन्ते गणा नूप
prājñān śūrān mahotsāhān karmasu sthira-pauruṣān | mānayantaḥ sadā yuktā vivardhante gaṇā nṛpa, nareśvara! saṅgharājye ke sadasyāḥ sadā buddhimān śūravīrā mahotsāhāḥ sarva-kāryeṣu dṛḍha-pauruṣa-paricaya-yuktān janān sadā mānayantaḥ rājyasyonnatyai udyoginaḥ bhavanti | tasmāt te śīghram agre vardhante ||
毗湿摩说：大王啊，凡纪律严整、同心协力之众，若恒常敬重智者、勇者、志气宏大者，以及行事中意志坚定者，便会不断兴盛。在邦联之政体中，其成员以尊崇贤能为常，勤勉推动国家进步；因此他们迅速前行，节节高升。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A polity—especially an assembly-based one—prospers when it consistently honors and elevates merit: wisdom, bravery, high initiative, and steadfastness in work. Respect for capable people and disciplined collective effort leads to rapid advancement.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises the king on principles of statecraft. Here he explains how organized groups/assemblies grow strong: by remaining united and industrious and by continually honoring competent, virtuous, and energetic individuals.