Shloka 5
अध्याय २९७ — श्रेयः, धृति, दान-नियमाः
Welfare, Steadfastness, and Norms of Giving
पारिबर्द: सुसंयुक्तमुद्यतं तुल्यतां गतम् अतिक्रमेत् तं नृपति:ः संग्रामे क्षत्रियात्मजम्
pāribardaḥ susaṃyuktam udyataṃ tulyatāṃ gatam atikramet taṃ nṛpatiḥ saṃgrāme kṣatriyātmajam
Parāśara said: In battle, a king should not overstep or disregard a kṣatriya’s son who is well-equipped, fully prepared, and has come to an equal footing (as an opponent).
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma even in war: do not act unjustly toward a properly armed and ready opponent who stands on equal terms; fairness and restraint are essential to righteous kingship.
Parāśara is instructing about conduct in battle, stating that a king should not transgress against a kṣatriya youth who is fully equipped and prepared—implying rules of honorable engagement.