Shloka 56
Nāradasya Rājadharma-praśnāḥ
Nārada’s Examination of Royal Ethics
कच्चिद् भयादुपगतं क्षीणं वा रिपुमागतम् । युद्धे वा विजितं पार्थ पुत्रवत् परिरक्षसि
kaccid bhayādupagataṁ kṣīṇaṁ vā ripum āgatam | yuddhe vā vijitaṁ pārtha putravat parirakṣasi ||
Нарада сказал: «О Партха, оберегаешь ли ты как сына даже врага, который пришёл к тебе за прибежищем из страха, или обнищал и ослаб, или явился после того, как ты победил его в битве?»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic ideal: even a hostile person, once defeated or seeking refuge in fear and ruin, should be protected with the care one gives a son. It frames victory as responsibility, not license for cruelty.
Nārada is examining Pārtha’s (Arjuna’s) conduct by asking whether he upholds the duty of protection toward a surrendered or defeated enemy—an ethical test of royal and warrior virtue.