Shloka 41
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
रथा नागा हयाश्रैव पादाताश्वैव पाण्डव | विष्टिनविश्चराश्वैव देशिका इति चाष्टमम्
rathā nāgā hayāś caiva pādātāś caiva pāṇḍava | viṣṭinaviś carāś caiva deśikā iti cāṣṭamam ||
毗湿摩说：“噢，般度之子，这些亦列入诸部：战车兵、象兵、骑兵与步兵；又有毗湿底（viṣṭi，徭役/强征之役夫）、游军或不正规之兵，以及本地向导——合为第八类。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma classifies the functional components of an army beyond the four standard arms (chariots, elephants, cavalry, infantry), emphasizing that logistics, scouts/irregulars, and local guides are also essential to effective and responsible kingship (rājadharma).
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma. Here he enumerates categories within an army, adding support and intelligence elements—viṣṭi, carāḥ, and deśikāḥ—completing an ‘eighth’ division in his scheme.