Shloka 45
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
अत्रैव वावरोहैनमेष धर्म: सनातन: । यदि मे प्रथम द्रोण: शरीरे प्रहरिष्यति । ततोडस्य प्रहरिष्यामि नास्थ कोपो भवेदिति
arjuna uvāca | atraiva vāvaroha enam eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | yadi me prathamaṃ droṇaḥ śarīre prahariṣyati | tato 'sya prahariṣyāmi nāsya kopo bhaved iti |
Arjuna dit : «Qu’il descende ici même ; telle est la règle éternelle de la conduite juste. Si le maître Droṇa frappe le premier mon corps, alors je le frapperai en retour de mes flèches—afin qu’aucune colère ne s’élève en lui, comme si j’avais attaqué sans provocation.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, one should uphold sanātana-dharma: do not initiate harm against a revered elder/teacher; respond only when attacked, so the act remains defensive and does not become an insult or provocation.
Arjuna states his battle protocol regarding Droṇa: he will not shoot first. Only if Droṇa strikes him first will Arjuna retaliate with arrows, aiming to avoid the appearance of aggression and the consequent anger or moral breach.