The only time that this seems to be challenged is when, before the epic battle, both sides agree that a car-warrior should only fight a car-warrior, a horseman must only fight a horseman, etcetera, and that anyone who is fighting another, seeking refuge, retreating, or has a broken weapon shall not be attacked (121). They are at least showing some compassion and setting some regulations to the battle, but they seemed determine to spill blood instead of finding a peaceful solution. Before the great battle the Pandavas do appear to be attempting to find a peaceful solution, but throughout the efforts there is never any real belief that a peaceful alternative can be reached. It is because of this type of limitation that brings about the theory that they might only be serving to justify their actions within their own minds, and might not actually be struggling with any intrinsic sense of right and wrong. Throughout Metamorphoses this idea never seems to be challenged.
Another issue regarding morality in respect to one's enemies is how morality can change to fit the situation, the enemy, or even your own station in life. In the Mahabharata, after the exile of the Pandavas, Karna and his cohorts plan on going and mocking them, but as a result end up being captured by an enemy force. Yudhisthira has the Pandavas rescue them, but he stresses to only use as much force as they must, no more, because it is not right to have senseless slaughter (68). The other four Pandavas ended up having to fight to the full extent of their force, but at least they had sense of discretion, and their efforts increased only as the situation deemed. Later, when they are planning for the epic battle, Yudhisthira once again preaches his theory that violence should be employed only as necessary, but those around him, namely Drupada and Satyaki, declare that the best thing that the Pandavas could do would be to resort directly to war with no attempts at negotiation first, because Duryodhana will not hand over the kingdom by any peaceful means (90).