Mahabharata 4.55.45 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 55, Shloka 45
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
अत्रैव वावरोहैनमेष धर्म: सनातन: । यदि मे प्रथम द्रोण: शरीरे प्रहरिष्यति । ततोडस्य प्रहरिष्यामि नास्थ कोपो भवेदिति
arjuna uvāca | atraiva vāvaroha enam eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | yadi me prathamaṃ droṇaḥ śarīre prahariṣyati | tato 'sya prahariṣyāmi nāsya kopo bhaved iti |
ให้เขาลงจากรถ ณ ที่นี่เถิด; นี่คือธรรมอันเป็นนิรันดร์. หากอาจารย์โทรณะลงมือฟันแทงกายเราก่อน เมื่อนั้นเราจึงจะโต้กลับด้วยศร—เพื่อมิให้ท่านกริ้วว่าเราบุกทำร้ายก่อนโดยไร้เหตุ.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, one should uphold sanātana-dharma: do not initiate harm against a revered elder/teacher; respond only when attacked, so the act remains defensive and does not become an insult or provocation.
Arjuna states his battle protocol regarding Droṇa: he will not shoot first. Only if Droṇa strikes him first will Arjuna retaliate with arrows, aiming to avoid the appearance of aggression and the consequent anger or moral breach.
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