Shloka 54
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
प्रहरिष्यन् प्रियं ब्रूयात् प्रहत्यैव प्रियोत्तरम् । असिनापि शिरश्छित्त्वा शोचेत च रुदेत च
praharīṣyan priyaṁ brūyāt prahatyaiva priyottaram | asināpi śiraś chittvā śocet ca rudet ca |
Itinuro ni Bhīṣma: Kahit nakahanda nang manakit, magsalita pa rin ng banayad at kaibig-ibig; kahit nakapanakit na, tumugon pa rin sa mabuting pananalita. Kahit napugutan na ang kaaway—naputol ang ulo sa talim ng espada—dapat pa ring makaramdam ng dalamhati sa buhay na iyon at lumuha. Ang aral ay pagpipigil at habag sa gitna ng karahasang di-maiiwasan: maaaring ipilit ng tungkulin ang mabagsik na gawa, ngunit hindi kailangang maging malupit ang salita at puso.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when violence is undertaken as a matter of duty, one must preserve gentleness of speech and compassion of heart—avoiding cruelty, gloating, and harsh words; the ideal is disciplined force without hatred.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous conduct. Here he describes the highest standard for a warrior: speak kindly before and after striking, and even after killing an enemy, grieve for the loss of life rather than exult.