Shloka 19
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
न तस्य बीजं रोहति रोहकाले न तस्य वर्ष वर्षति वर्षकाले । भीतं प्रपन्न॑ प्रददाति शत्रवे न सत्रातारं लभते त्राणमिच्छन्
na tasya bījaṃ rohati rohakāle na tasya varṣa varṣati varṣakāle | bhītaṃ prapannaṃ pradadāti śatrave na sa trātāraṃ labhate trāṇam icchan ||
“Aquele que, por medo, entrega ao inimigo um ser que buscou refúgio, vê a semente que semeia não brotar em seu tempo; a chuva não cai para ele na estação devida; e, quando deseja proteção, não encontra protetor.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Never betray one who has sought refuge, even under fear or pressure. Violating prapanna-dharma (the duty to protect the surrendered) destroys one’s prosperity and security: nature, society, and personal safety turn against the betrayer.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war counsel, Śalya articulates a moral principle relevant to rulers and warriors: handing a frightened suppliant over to an enemy is a serious adharma, bringing tangible misfortune (failed crops, untimely rain) and the loss of help when one later needs protection.