Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 17
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
रथशक्तिममित्राणां प्रागेव निपतद् भुवि । सो5पयात् सहसा पश्चात् साहसाच्चाभ्युपेयिवान्
rathaśaktim amitrāṇāṃ prāg eva nipatad bhuvi | so 'payāt sahasā paścāt sāhasāc cābhyupeyivān |
Vaiśampāyana dit : Arjuna avait déjà abattu l’arme‑ratha (ratha-weapon) des ennemis, la faisant tomber à terre. Puis, estimant qu’il serait téméraire et indigne de tuer ceux qui étaient désormais sans défense, il se retira de cet endroit ; mais les voyant de nouveau se préparer au combat, il revint les affronter encore.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma requires restraint: striking down the helpless is treated as improper audacity. Force should be proportionate and directed only against those who remain a genuine threat.
Arjuna disables the enemies’ chariot-weapon so it falls to the ground. He then withdraws, considering it wrong to kill opponents rendered powerless; but when they again show readiness to fight, he returns to engage them.