Shloka 8
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य द्रोणाभिमुख्यं तथा सात्यकि-कर्ण-समागमः
Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s advance toward Droṇa and the Sātyaki–Karṇa confrontation
न प्रमत्ताय भीताय विरथाय प्रयाचते । व्यसने वर्तमानाय प्रहरन्ति मनस्विन:,मनस्वी पुरुष असावधान, डरे हुए, रथहीन, प्राणों-की भिक्षा माँगनेवाले तथा संकटमें पड़े हुए मनुष्यपर प्रहार नहीं करते हैं
na pramattāya bhītāya virathāya prayācate | vyasane vartamānāya praharanti manasvinaḥ ||
न प्रमत्ताय भीताय विरथाय प्रयाचते । व्यसने वर्तमानाय प्रहरन्ति मनस्विनः ॥
भूरिश्रवा उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse states a principle of dharma-yuddha: a noble warrior should not attack an opponent who is defenseless or morally protected by circumstance—such as being off-guard, frightened, without a chariot, pleading for life, or already overwhelmed by disaster. Honor in battle is measured by restraint as much as by strength.
Bhūriśravā articulates battlefield ethics at a tense moment in the Drona Parva, invoking accepted norms of fair combat. His statement functions as a moral claim about when striking an enemy becomes adharma—especially when the opponent is disadvantaged (like being viratha) or seeking mercy.