Shloka 56
कच्चिद् भयादुपगतं क्षीणं वा रिपुमागतम् । युद्धे वा विजितं पार्थ पुत्रवत् परिरक्षसि,कुन्तीनन्दन! जो भयसे अथवा अपनी धन-सम्पत्तिका नाश होनेसे तुम्हारी शरणमें आया हो या युद्धमें तुमसे परास्त हो गया हो, ऐसे शत्रुका तुम पुत्रके समान पालन करते हो या नहीं?
kaccid bhayādupagataṁ kṣīṇaṁ vā ripum āgatam | yuddhe vā vijitaṁ pārtha putravat parirakṣasi ||
नारद उवाच—कच्चिद् भयादुपगतं क्षीणं वा रिपुमागतम् । युद्धे वा विजितं पार्थ पुत्रवत् परिरक्षसि ॥
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.