Shloka 19
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
परं विश्वासयेत् साम्ना स्वशक्तिं चोपलक्षयेत् । आत्मन: परिमर्शेन बुद्धि बुद्धया विचारयेत्
paraṁ viśvāsayet sāmnā svaśaktiṁ copalakṣayet | ātmanaḥ parimarśena buddhiṁ buddhyā vicārayet ||
毗湿摩说道：“君王当先以柔和的和解之辞赢得众人信任；亦当使自身之力显而易见。继而自省，以清明之智审度，决断当行之事。如此，劝服、可信之威与深思之断，共同引导合乎正法的治理。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should lead by a balanced method: win trust through gentle persuasion (sāman), maintain credibility by demonstrating strength, and finally decide action through careful self-reflection and rational deliberation.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhishma advises the king on practical statecraft: how to approach others, establish confidence, signal capability, and then choose the proper course through thoughtful judgment.