Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
ततः प्रत्यागते काले भिन्द्याद् घटमिवाश्मनि । अमित्रो न विमोक्तव्य: कृपणं बह्नपि ब्रुवन्
tataḥ pratyāgate kāle bhindyād ghaṭam ivāśmani | amitro na vimoktavyaḥ kṛpaṇaṃ bahn api bruvan ||
Then, when the proper time has come, one should shatter him as one would break an earthen pot upon a stone. An enemy is not to be released, even if he speaks many pitiable, supplicating words—because mercy shown at the wrong place and time endangers one’s own side and undermines prudent duty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच