It is told in the Mahabharata, that when Arjuna brought Ashvatthama to Draupadi, after Ashvatthama had murdered all her children, Draupadi taught Arjuna the circumstances under which a wicked person should be excused. Draupadi told Arjuna that it is not proper to kill a person who is afraid, a person who is humble and penitent, a person who has lost consciousness, a person who is drunk, a person who has a broken heart, a person who pleads for mercy, and women, in general, even if they deserve suchpunishment. (DBG, p. 167)