Shloka 53
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
अद्वारेण रिपोर्गेह द्वारेण सुहृदो गुहान् । प्रविशन्ति नरा धीरा द्वाराण्येतानि धर्मत:,धीर मनुष्य शत्रुके घरमें बिना दरवाजेके और मित्रके घरमें दरवाजेसे जाते हैं। शत्रु और मित्रके लिये ये धर्मत: द्वार बतलाये गये हैं
advāreṇa ripor gehaṃ dvāreṇa suhṛdo guhān | praviśanti narā dhīrā dvārāṇy etāni dharmataḥ ||
Người trí vào nhà kẻ thù bằng lối không phải cửa, còn vào nhà bạn hữu bằng đúng cửa. Đó là những “cánh cửa” do dharma đặt ra khi đối đãi với thù và bạn: thận trọng, kín đáo trước kẻ đối nghịch; cởi mở, đúng phép trước người thiện chí.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma requires different modes of approach: toward an enemy one should be guarded and indirect, while toward a friend one should be open and proper. Wisdom lies in discerning context and acting with fitting caution or trust.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa states a rule of practical dharma: how a prudent person should ‘enter’ or approach the sphere of an enemy versus that of a friend—symbolically prescribing secrecy and vigilance with foes, and straightforward, respectful conduct with allies.