Shloka 22
Indrajit’s Binding, Restoration by Viśalyā, and Counsel Restraining Rāvaṇa (Āraṇyaka Parva 273)
गतसत्त्वमिव ज्ञात्वा कर्तारमशुभस्य तम्,साशथ्चः सरथपादात: स्वस्ति गच्छ जयद्रथ । वह अशुभ कर्म करनेवाला जयद्रथ मृतप्राय-सा हो गया है, यह देख और समझकर भरतश्रेष्ठ राजा युधिष्ठिरने उसपर कृपा की और कहा--तेरी बुद्धि धर्ममें उत्तरोत्तर बढ़ती रहे, तू कभी अधर्ममें मन न लगाना। जयद्रथ! अपने रथ, घोड़े और पैदल सबको साथ लिये कुशलपूर्वक चला जा'
Bhīmasena uvāca: gatasattvam iva jñātvā kartāram aśubhasya tam, sāśvathaḥ sarathapādātaḥ svasti gaccha Jayadratha.
Bhīma dijo: «Sabiendo que está como quien ha perdido fuerza y aliento —él, autor de aquella mala acción—, vete a salvo, oh Jayadratha, junto con tus caballos, tu carro y tus soldados de a pie».
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when an enemy has committed a grave wrong, dharma may require restraint and mercy once he is defeated and helpless; victory should not become an excuse for cruelty.
Jayadratha, having been overpowered and left nearly strengthless after his wrongdoing, is granted safe departure with his chariot, horses, and infantry; the victors choose to spare him rather than kill him.