Shloka 13
Bala and Dharma in Kṣatriya Governance (बल-धर्म सम्बन्धः)
सर्वलोकागमं कृत्वा मृदुत्वं गन्तुमेव च । विश्वासाद् विनयं कुर्याद् विश्वसेच्चाप्युपायत:
sarvalokāgamaṃ kṛtvā mṛdutvaṃ gantum eva ca | viśvāsād vinayaṃ kuryād viśvasec cāpy upāyataḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：既已赢得众人的善意，便当采取柔和之势。出于信任，应行谦卑与和解之道；亦当以审慎之策、以权宜之法而施信任，使敌意得以消弭，争端得以避免。此策尤为弱势之王而设：以安抚对方之众、建立信心，并以恭敬的恳请作为通向和平的权略之路。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler—especially when weak—should seek peace through soft power: win public and opposing-side goodwill, practice humility and respectful entreaty, and build trust, while remaining prudent and strategic in how that trust is placed.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and conduct, Bhishma advises on practical statecraft: when direct confrontation is disadvantageous, a king should reduce enmity by conciliation, confidence-building, and carefully managed trust to stop or prevent war.