Shloka 10
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Disclosure, Drupada’s Counsel, and the Petition to Yakṣa Sthūṇākarṇa
Udyoga Parva 192
आर्जवेनैव युद्धेन योद्धव्य इतरो जन: । मायायुद्धेन मायावी इत्येतद् धर्मनिश्चय:
ārjavenaiva yuddhena yoddhavya itaro janaḥ | māyāyuddhena māyāvī ity etad dharma-niścayaḥ ||
സാധാരണ ജനങ്ങളോടു നേരായും തുറന്നും യുദ്ധം ചെയ്യണം; എന്നാൽ മായാവിയായവനെ മായായുദ്ധം കൊണ്ടുതന്നെ നേരിടണം—ഇതുതന്നെ ധർമ്മനിശ്ചയം।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma states a rule of proportional conduct in warfare: fight honestly with those who fight honestly, but when facing a deceitful opponent, counter-deception is permitted as a dharmic response.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Bhīṣma articulates guidance on proper conduct in impending conflict, distinguishing between ordinary combatants and those who employ māyā (deceptive tactics).