Shloka 29
न शत्रुर्वशमापतन्नो मोक्तव्यो वध्यतां गत: । न्यग्भूत्वा पर्युपासीत वध्यं हन्याद् बले सति । अहताद्धि भयं तस्माज्जायते नचिरादिव
na śatrur vaśam āpatanno moktavyo vadhyatāṃ gataḥ | nyagbhūtvā paryupāsīta vadhyaṃ hanyād bale sati | ahatād dhi bhayaṃ tasmāj jāyate na cirād iva ||
Vidura says: An enemy who has fallen into one’s power and has become liable to punishment should not be released. One should first subdue him and keep him under watch; and when strength and opportunity are secure, one should strike down the one who deserves to be slain. For if he is left unharmed, fear from him soon arises again.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura teaches a hard-edged principle of rāja-nīti: a dangerous enemy who has fallen into one’s power should not be set free, because sparing him can quickly regenerate threat; restraint and vigilance are required, and decisive action is justified when one has the strength to prevent future harm.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Vidura is advising the Kuru leadership on prudent governance and conflict management. Here he warns against releasing a captured or subdued adversary, emphasizing the political and moral responsibility to prevent renewed danger.