Shloka 173
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
शत्रोरनार्य भूतस्य क्लिष्टस्य क्षुधितस्यथ च
śatror anārya-bhūtasya kliṣṭasya kṣudhitasya ca
Bhīṣma disse: “Mesmo ao lidar com um inimigo que caiu em conduta ignóbil—aflito e até faminto—deve-se ponderar a resposta tendo o dharma em vista, e não apenas a hostilidade.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is tested precisely in hostile situations: even an enemy who has become ignoble and is suffering (distressed, hungry) should not be treated purely with vindictiveness; one’s action should remain governed by ethical restraint and right conduct.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and righteous governance. Here he frames a case involving an enemy in a weakened, pitiable condition (afflicted and hungry), setting up guidance on how a righteous person or king should respond.