Shloka 32
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
क्लान्त:ः शत्रुर्न कौन्तेय लभ्य: पीडयितुं रणे । पीड्यमानो हि कार्त्स्येन जह्माज्जीवितमात्मन:
klāntaḥ śatrur na kaunteya labhyaḥ pīḍayituṃ raṇe | pīḍyamāno hi kārtsnyena jahyāj jīvitam ātmanaḥ ||
Dijo Kṛṣṇa: «Oh hijo de Kuntī, cuando el enemigo ya está exhausto, no es correcto oprimirlo con más tormento en la batalla. Pues si se le acosa hasta el extremo, puede, en su desesperación, abandonar su propia vida».
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma requires restraint: when an opponent is already exhausted, intensifying cruelty is improper, because extreme pressure can drive him to desperate self-destruction. Victory should not be pursued through needless torment.
Kṛṣṇa addresses Arjuna (Kaunteya) and lays down a principle of righteous conduct in combat, advising against further affliction of an enemy who has become fatigued, warning that total harassment may lead the foe to give up his life.