Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 10
अन्नदान-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Gift of Food) | Annadāna-Praśaṃsā
अमित्रमपि चेद् दीनं शरणैषिणमागतम् | व्यसने यो<नुगृह्नाति स वै पुरुषसत्तम:,शत्रु भी यदि दीन होकर शरण पानेकी इच्छासे घरपर आ जाय तो संकटके समय जो उसपर दया करता है, वही मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ है
amitrām api ced dīnaṁ śaraṇaiṣiṇam āgatam | vyasane yo 'nugṛhṇāti sa vai puruṣasattamaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Kahit ang kaaway, kung dumating na lugmok at naghahanap ng kanlungan, ang sinumang magpakita ng habag sa kanya sa oras ng kapahamakan ay tunay na pinakadakila sa mga tao. Pinakamahigpit na nasusubok ang dharma kapag ang awa ay iniaabot lampas sa pagkakaibigan—sa kaaway na bumagsak at humihingi ng pag-iingat.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True excellence in dharma is shown by extending protection and kindness even to an enemy when he is helpless and seeks refuge; compassion in another’s distress is a higher test than loyalty to one’s own side.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction on righteous conduct (Anuśāsana Parva), he lays down a moral principle: when a foe arrives humbled and asking for shelter, the virtuous person should not exploit that weakness but instead offer help during the crisis.