Verse 7.200

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

त्रयाणामप्युपायानां पूर्वोक्तानामसम्भवे ।
तथा युध्येत सम्पन्नो विजयेत रिपून् यथा ॥ २०० ॥

trayāṇāmapyupāyānāṃ pūrvoktānāmasambhave |
tathā yudhyeta sampanno vijayeta ripūn yathā || 200 ||

But in the event of the three aforesaid expedients failing, he shall fight in such a manner as to conquer his enemies completely.—(200)

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

Conciliation and the rest having failed,—even though victory be uncertain, and equally possible for both combatants,—he shall fight in such a manner that his victory become certain; and if he wins, he gains a kingdom, while if he is slain, he gains heaven; so in either case victory would be his. He shall not create imaginary difficulties, and he shall also eschew all treacherous ways of fighting, as also all such operations as would bring about either the utter annihilation of the enemy or too much harassment. Says Vyāsa—‘O Arjuna, even Indra himself dare not stand before men who have become desperate and given up all hope of their lives’. When victory appears to be doubtful, retreat is the proper thing to do; for when life has gone out, the man is unable to accomplish his purpose; it is only while alive that he passes through pleasing experiences, whereas if he dies, he only gains heaven.—(200).

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Parāśaramādhava (Ācāra, p. 403);—in Vīramitrodaya (Rājanīti, p. 404);—and in Smṛtitattva (p. 742), which reading ‘saṃyattaḥ’ (for ‘sampannaḥ’), explains it as ‘with due effort’.