Shloka 5
अध्याय २९७ — श्रेयः, धृति, दान-नियमाः
Welfare, Steadfastness, and Norms of Giving
पारिबर्द: सुसंयुक्तमुद्यतं तुल्यतां गतम् अतिक्रमेत् तं नृपति:ः संग्रामे क्षत्रियात्मजम्
pāribardaḥ susaṃyuktam udyataṃ tulyatāṃ gatam atikramet taṃ nṛpatiḥ saṃgrāme kṣatriyātmajam
पराशर म्हणाले—संग्रामात जो क्षत्रियपुत्र सुसज्ज, सिद्ध आणि समकक्ष म्हणून उभा राहिला आहे, त्याच्यावर राजा अन्यायाने अतिक्रमण करू नये.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must uphold dharma even in war: do not act unjustly toward a properly armed and ready opponent who stands on equal terms; fairness and restraint are essential to righteous kingship.
Parāśara is instructing about conduct in battle, stating that a king should not transgress against a kṣatriya youth who is fully equipped and prepared—implying rules of honorable engagement.