Shloka 13
नृशंस-लक्षणनिर्णयः | Determining the Marks of Cruel Conduct
Nṛśaṃsa
तस्मात् क्षमेत बालाय जडान्धबधिराय च | बलाधिकाय राजेन्द्र तद् दृष्टं त्वयि शत्रुहन्,शत्रुओंका नाश करनेवाले राजेन्द्र! इसलिये जो बालक, जड, अन्ध, बधिर, तथा बलमें अपनेसे बढ़ा-चढ़ा हो, उसके द्वारा किये गये प्रतिकूल बर्ताव को भी क्षमा कर देना चाहिये; यह क्षमाभाव तुम्हारे भीतर विद्यमान है
tasmāt kṣamet bālāya jaḍāndhabadhirāya ca | balādhikāya rājendra tad dṛṣṭaṃ tvayi śatruhan ||
Therefore, O king, slayer of foes, one should practice forbearance even toward a child, a dull-witted person, the blind, the deaf, and even toward one who is stronger than oneself. Such a disposition to forgive is seen to dwell in you—hence you should pardon even their adverse conduct.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches kṣamā—deliberate forbearance. One should forgive even when wronged by those who lack full responsibility (a child, the dull, the blind, the deaf) or when retaliation is imprudent (someone stronger). Forgiveness is presented as a royal virtue and a mark of inner strength.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs the king on dharma after the war. Here he urges the ruler to cultivate and display forgiveness, noting that this forgiving disposition is already evident in the king’s character.