Shloka 3
Adharmic Victory as Unstable; Rules of Restraint, Mediation, and Conciliation (अधर्मविजय-अध्रुवत्व तथा क्षमा-नयः)
विशीर्णकवचं चैव तवास्मीति च वादिनम् | कृताञ्जलिं न्यस्तशस्त्रं गृहीत्वा न हि हिंसयेत्
viśīrṇakavacaṃ caiva tavāsmīti ca vādinaṃ | kṛtāñjaliṃ nyastaśastraṃ gṛhītvā na hi hiṃsayet |
ビーシュマは言った。「いったん捕らえた敵の戦士を討ってはならぬ。鎧が砕け、あるいは『私はあなたのものです』と言い、合掌して降伏し、または武器を捨てた者をである。戦はダルマにより統べられねばならぬ。敵が武装を解かれ、あるいは庇護を求めたなら、その者への暴力は不義となる。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, dharma restrains violence: a disarmed, armor-broken, supplicating, or surrendering opponent—especially one seeking protection (“I am yours”)—must not be killed, even if captured.
Bhishma is instructing on righteous conduct (dharma) in battle, specifying conditions under which an enemy combatant is no longer a legitimate target: when he is helpless, has surrendered, or has laid down arms.