Motif
Warrior code invoked by a helpless combatant and violated
warrior_code_invoked_by_a_helpless_combatant_and_violated
A motif of the Sacred Law and Social Order family, within the sub-family Justice, Mercy, and Judicial Procedure. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
hindu
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Maha-bharata BOOK IX / DRONA-BADHA / BOOK X / KARNA-BADHA; lines 5654-5797 confidence: high
Arjun's bow-string breaks; he asks Karna to observe rules of war and hold, but Karna showers arrows on the bowless Arjun and strikes his chest.
Arjun first asks not to be attacked after his bow-string breaks, but Karna attacks; later Karna asks the same when his chariot wheel sinks.
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