Shloka 15
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
यदि वैरिषु भृत्येषु स्वजनव्यवहारयो: । विषयेष्विन्द्रियाणां च आकाशे मा पराक्रम
yadi vairiṣu bhṛtyeṣu svajana-vyavahārayoḥ | viṣayeṣv indriyāṇāṁ ca ākāśe mā parākrama ||
«Si de veras posees fuerza, muestra tu valor donde debe ser probado: contra los enemigos, en el trato con dependientes y servidores, en la conducta de los tuyos y en los litigios entre demandante y demandado, y en dominar los objetos que tientan a los sentidos. No malgastes tu poder contra quienes habitan el cielo; tal agresión es errada y vacía de rectitud.»
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength and heroism are meaningful only when directed toward rightful arenas—defending against enemies, acting justly in social/legal dealings, and conquering one’s own senses. Misusing power against inappropriate targets is condemned.
Śyena offers counsel that reframes ‘parākrama’ (valor) as ethical discipline: prove power through responsible action in human conflicts and self-mastery, not by futile or wrongful aggression against beings ‘in the sky’ (i.e., remote or improper targets).