Shloka 3
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
पराड्मुखाय दीनाय न्यस्तशस्त्राय सात्यके । क्षत्रधर्मरत: प्राज्ञ: कथं नु प्रहरेद् रणे,'सात्यके! जो युद्धसे विमुख एवं दीन होकर हथियार डाल चुका हो, उसपर रणभूमिमें क्षत्रियधर्मपरायण दिद्वान् पुरुष कैसे प्रहार कर सकता है?
parāṅmukhāya dīnāya nyastaśastrāya sātyake | kṣatradharmarataḥ prājñaḥ kathaṃ nu prahared raṇe ||
“O Sātyaki, when a man has turned away from the fight, become helpless, and laid down his weapons, how could a wise warrior devoted to kṣatriya dharma strike him on the battlefield?”
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a central norm of kṣatriya-dharma: a warrior guided by discernment should not strike an opponent who has withdrawn, become helpless, and laid down weapons—emphasizing restraint and honor even amid war.
Sañjaya addresses Sātyaki and frames an ethical dilemma on the battlefield: whether it is permissible to attack someone who has turned away from combat and is disarmed, implying that a truly principled warrior would refrain.