Shloka 7
Gaṇānāṃ Vṛttiḥ — On the Sustenance and Cohesion of Assemblies
Gaṇa-nīti
यथा गणाः: प्रवर्धन्ते न भिद्यन्ते च भारत । अरींश्व विजिगीषन्ते सुहृदः प्राप्तुवन्ति च
yathā gaṇāḥ pravardhante na bhidyante ca bhārata | arīn svaṃ vijigīṣante suhṛdaḥ prāpnuvanti ca ||
尤地湿提罗说道：“噢婆罗多啊，我愿详闻：由伽那（gaṇa）共治之国的人民如何兴盛；他们如何避免内部纷争与分裂；凭何等决心与方法求取对敌之胜；又以何种手段获得善意之人的友谊与扶持。”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ethical-political inquiry central to rājadharma: collective polities thrive through internal cohesion, disciplined pursuit of security against enemies, and the cultivation of trustworthy allies—prosperity is treated as inseparable from unity and prudent relationships.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance, Yudhiṣṭhira asks to be taught the practical principles by which gaṇa-based states (assembly/clan polities) grow strong—how they prevent internal splits, aim at victory over adversaries, and win the support of friends.