ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
दृष्टवा त्वां मम संजाता त्वय्यनुक्रोशिनी मति: । नाहमेतादृशं बुद्ध हन्तुमिच्छामि बन्धने,“तुम्हें देखकर मेरे मनमें दयाका संचार हो आया है। मैं ऐसे ज्ञानी पुरुषको बन्धनमें रखकर उसका वध करना नहीं चाहता
dṛṣṭvā tvāṃ mama saṃjātā tvayy anukrośinī matiḥ | nāham etādṛśaṃ buddha hantum icchāmi bandhane ||
Nang makita kita, sumibol sa akin ang habag para sa iyo. O maliwanagan, ayaw kong patayin ang isang taong may ganitong pag-unawa habang siya’y nakagapos.
भीष्म उवाच
Even when punishment or violence seems possible, dharma is refined by compassion: a truly wise person should not be slain while helpless or bound, and moral judgment must consider the victim’s condition and worth.
Bhīṣma speaks to someone addressed as “buddha” (a wise/enlightened person). On seeing him, Bhīṣma’s mind turns compassionate, and he declares he will not kill such a person while the person is in captivity.