Shloka 10
आर्जवेनैव युद्धेन योद्धव्य इतरो जन: । मायायुद्धेन मायावी इत्येतद् धर्मनिश्चय:,साधारण लोगोंके साथ सरलभावसे ही युद्ध करना चाहिये। जो लोग मायावी हैं, उनका सामना मायायुद्धसे ही करना चाहिये। यही धर्मशास्त्रोंका निश्चय है
ārjavenaiva yuddhena yoddhavya itaro janaḥ | māyāyuddhena māyāvī ity etad dharma-niścayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma declares an ethical rule for combat: with ordinary people one should fight straightforwardly, in open and honest battle. But against an opponent who relies on deception and stratagem, one may answer with counter-stratagem in kind. This, he says, is the settled determination of dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma states a rule of proportional conduct in warfare: fight honestly with those who fight honestly, but when facing a deceitful opponent, counter-deception is permitted as a dharmic response.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Bhīṣma articulates guidance on proper conduct in impending conflict, distinguishing between ordinary combatants and those who employ māyā (deceptive tactics).