Shloka 173
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
शत्रोरनार्य भूतस्य क्लिष्टस्य क्षुधितस्यथ च
śatror anārya-bhūtasya kliṣṭasya kṣudhitasya ca
Bhīṣma said: “Even when dealing with an enemy who has fallen into ignoble conduct—one who is distressed and even hungry—one must weigh one’s response with dharma in view, not merely with hostility.”
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.