Shloka 11
Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
आपपसद्यापदि काले च कुर्वीत न विचारयेत् । नावज्ञेयो रिपुस्तात दुर्बलोडपि कथंचन,“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
āpatsadya āpadi kāle ca kurvīta na vicārayet | nāvajñeyo ripus tāta durbalo 'pi kathaṃcana ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “One should act at once when calamity strikes, without hesitation. In times of danger, the enemy must not be disregarded, dear one—even if he appears weak. For the wise commend the slaying of foes who seek one’s ruin; and when a powerful or battle-skilled enemy is seen fallen into adversity, he should be destroyed easily then and there. In such a crisis, one should not weigh considerations of relationship or friendship; the destruction of the enemy is to be carried out without delay.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a crisis, decisive action is urged: an enemy—especially one intent on harm—should not be underestimated, even if seemingly weak. When the foe is vulnerable, one should act swiftly without being swayed by sentiments like friendship or kinship.
Vaiśampāyana delivers a nīti-style maxim within the Adi Parva’s discourse, emphasizing strategic and ethical counsel for perilous situations: seize the moment when an adversary is in distress and do not delay through over-deliberation.