Shloka 173
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
शत्रोरनार्य भूतस्य क्लिष्टस्य क्षुधितस्यथ च
śatror anārya-bhūtasya kliṣṭasya kṣudhitasya ca
قال بهيشما: «حتى عند التعامل مع عدوٍّ انحدر إلى سلوكٍ دنيء—مكروبٍ بل جائع—ينبغي أن يُوزَن الردّ على ميزان الدharma، لا على مجرد العداوة».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is tested precisely in hostile situations: even an enemy who has become ignoble and is suffering (distressed, hungry) should not be treated purely with vindictiveness; one’s action should remain governed by ethical restraint and right conduct.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and righteous governance. Here he frames a case involving an enemy in a weakened, pitiable condition (afflicted and hungry), setting up guidance on how a righteous person or king should respond.