Shloka 15
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
यदि वैरिषु भृत्येषु स्वजनव्यवहारयो: । विषयेष्विन्द्रियाणां च आकाशे मा पराक्रम
yadi vairiṣu bhṛtyeṣu svajana-vyavahārayoḥ | viṣayeṣv indriyāṇāṁ ca ākāśe mā parākrama ||
«إن كنتَ حقًّا ذا قوة، فأظهر بأسك حيث يُمتحَن بحقّ: على الأعداء، وفي تدبير التابعين والخدم، وفي شؤون أهلك، وفي الخصومات بين المدّعي والمدّعى عليه، وفي قهر ما تُغري به موضوعاتُ الحواس. ولا تُهدر قوتك على من يسكنون السماء؛ فذلك عدوانٌ في غير موضعه وخاوٍ من معنى الدَّرْمَا.»
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength and heroism are meaningful only when directed toward rightful arenas—defending against enemies, acting justly in social/legal dealings, and conquering one’s own senses. Misusing power against inappropriate targets is condemned.
Śyena offers counsel that reframes ‘parākrama’ (valor) as ethical discipline: prove power through responsible action in human conflicts and self-mastery, not by futile or wrongful aggression against beings ‘in the sky’ (i.e., remote or improper targets).