Shloka 173
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
शत्रोरनार्य भूतस्य क्लिष्टस्य क्षुधितस्यथ च
śatror anārya-bhūtasya kliṣṭasya kṣudhitasya ca
शत्रु यदि अनार्य आचरण में पड़ गया हो, क्लेश में हो और भूखा भी हो—तब भी (धर्म को सामने रखकर ही) व्यवहार करना चाहिए।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is tested precisely in hostile situations: even an enemy who has become ignoble and is suffering (distressed, hungry) should not be treated purely with vindictiveness; one’s action should remain governed by ethical restraint and right conduct.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and righteous governance. Here he frames a case involving an enemy in a weakened, pitiable condition (afflicted and hungry), setting up guidance on how a righteous person or king should respond.