Shloka 10
Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
वधमेव प्रशंसन्ति शत्रूणामपकारिणाम् । सुविदीर्ण सुविक्रान्तं सुयुद्धं सुपलायितम्,“अपना अनिष्ट करनेवाले शत्रुओंका वध कर दिया जाय, इसीकी नीतिज्ञ पुरुष प्रशंसा करते हैं। अत्यन्त पराक्रमी शत्रुको भी आपत्तिमें पड़ा देख उसे सुगमतापूर्वक नष्ट कर दे। इसी प्रकार जो अच्छी तरह युद्ध करनेवाला शत्रु है, उसे भी आपत्तिकालमें ही अनायास ही मार भगाये। आपत्तिके समय शत्रुका संहार अवश्य ही करे। उस समय उसके सम्बन्ध या सौहार्द आदिका विचार कदापि न करे। तात! शत्रु दुर्बल हो, तो भी किसी प्रकार उसकी उपेक्षा न करे
vadhameva praśaṃsanti śatrūṇām apakāriṇām | suvidīrṇa-suvikrāntaṃ suyuddhaṃ supalāyitam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “The wise commend only one course against enemies who have done harm—slay them. When a foe, however mighty and valiant, is found in distress and exposed, one should destroy him with ease. Likewise, even an enemy skilled in battle should, in a time of calamity, be struck down or driven into flight without hesitation. In crisis, the enemy’s destruction is to be carried out; considerations of kinship or friendship are not to be entertained then. And even if the enemy appears weak, one should not neglect him in any way.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
It presents a hard-edged nīti principle: an enemy who has caused harm should be neutralized decisively, especially when he is vulnerable; sentimental ties such as friendship or kinship should not override strategic necessity in a crisis.
Vaiśaṃpāyana delivers a counsel-like statement emphasizing how one should deal with hostile adversaries—urging swift destruction or rout of the enemy when circumstances make it possible.