Shloka 13
धर्म्यविजय-नियमाः
Rules for Dharmic Victory in Kṣatriya Engagement
भग्नशस्त्रो विपन्नश्न कृत्तज्यो हतवाहन: । चिकित्स्य: स्यात् स्वविषये प्राप्यो वा स्वगृहे भवेत्
bhagnaśastro vipannaś ca kṛttajyo hata-vāhanaḥ | cikitsyaḥ syāt sva-viṣaye prāpyo vā sva-gṛhe bhavet ||
Bhishma berkata: Jangan menyerang musuh yang senjatanya patah, yang jatuh dalam kesusahan, yang tali busurnya terputus, atau yang tunggangannya terbunuh. Jika orang demikian berada dalam wilayah atau kendali kita, luka-lukanya patut diobati, atau ia diantar dengan selamat kembali ke rumahnya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Warfare must be governed by dharma: do not strike an opponent who is effectively helpless (disarmed, immobilized, or in distress). Instead, provide medical care or safe passage home when he falls under your control.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhishma lays down a rule of combat: an enemy who has lost weapons, bowstring, or mount—and is thus incapacitated—should not be attacked; he should be protected and aided.