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 |
Bhishma bersabda: “Janganlah seseorang menumpaskan pahlawan lawan setelah dia ditawan—apabila perisainya telah hancur, apabila dia berkata ‘aku milikmu’, apabila dia berdiri dengan tangan dirapatkan memohon menyerah, atau apabila dia telah meletakkan senjata. Perang mesti tetap ditadbir oleh dharma: apabila musuh telah dilucutkan atau memohon perlindungan, kekerasan terhadapnya menjadi tidak sah.”
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.