War, Behind The Scenes: About Timing and Influence

(This series unravels the dharmic dialogue between Narad Muni and Raja Yudhishthir in the Sabha Parv of the Mahabharat. Here is Part XXIV, which talks about how a king must prepare for war.).In the previous exchange between Narad Muni and Raja Yudhishthir, we observed how the sage advises the king to go to war only after assessing the readiness of his “forces”. The three kinds of forces that Narad refers to here are the support of his counsel, the resource availability of the kingdom and the willingness of the armed forces to fight. Then, Narad goes on to say, ‘when the proper time comes, taking into consideration all the omens you might see and having been convinced that the resolutions you have formed (and their dependence on the mandalas), having paid your troops their pay, do you begin your march?’ Not just testing the King’s readiness for war, he questions the King’s ability to foresee the enemy’s chances, too. ‘Do you have gems and jewels for the chief officers of the enemy as they deserve, without the knowledge of the enemy?’The first part of Narad’s counsel highlights the importance of timing and preparation. ‘When the proper time comes,’ he says, ‘having observed the omens, and after paying your troops, do you begin your march?’ Here, timing is everything. A king who rushes into war without preparation may doom himself. The mention of paying troops underlines something very practical: morale is tied to material security. Soldiers fight not only for glory but also for livelihood, and neglecting their needs erodes loyalty..This principle is visible in modern geopolitics, too. Think about India’s own history. In 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War, India did not rush in immediately. The Indian government carefully assessed the international climate, secured support from the Soviet Union, and only then moved militarily. The result was a swift, decisive victory. Contrast that with other nations that rushed into conflicts without preparation and ended up in deep trouble. Narad’s ancient advice that the army must be ready, motivated, and supported remains a golden rule.But Narad goes even further. He asks Yudhishthir whether he has gems and jewels to give to the enemy’s officers, ‘without the enemy knowing’. At first glance, this may sound like bribery. But what Narad is really pointing to is influence. A wise king not only prepares his own forces; he also knows how to weaken his adversary from within, i.e., by winning hearts, buying loyalty, or quietly cultivating support. This is about strategies that go beyond brute strength.Look at India’s geopolitical strategy today. India doesn’t fight every battle through war; instead, it invests in alliances and influence. For example, India has deepened ties with countries in the Indian Ocean like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles, not only by providing aid and infrastructure but also by training their militaries and building people-to-people connections. This is the modern version of offering ‘gems and jewels’ - securing trust and loyalty in ways that ensure India’s long-term security..Another strong example is how India manages its rivalry with China. Instead of direct confrontation, India works through partnerships like the Quad alliance (with the U.S., Japan, and Australia), and by deepening defence and economic cooperation with Southeast Asia. At the same time, India extends humanitarian aid, vaccines, and technology to smaller nations, quietly ensuring that local leaders look to India with trust. This is Narad’s wisdom in action—knowing that influence and diplomacy can shape outcomes even before a confrontation begins.In fact, if we connect the dots of the last three questions asked by Narad, we have a powerful take on leadership that no management school can offer. Leadership is not just about charging ahead with force. It is about reading the moment, preparing your team, boosting morale, and anticipating the other side’s moves. Sometimes, the smartest leader doesn’t win by fighting harder, but by ensuring the opponent never has the will or the support to fight at all.

War, Behind The Scenes: About Timing and Influence

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