Shloka 14
समन्तपञ्चक-आख्यानम् तथा अक्षौहिणी-प्रमाणनिर्णयः
Samantapañcaka Narrative and the Measure of an Akṣauhiṇī
तस्मिन् परमधर्मिष्ठे देशे भूदोषवर्जिते | अष्टादश समाजम्मुरक्षौहिण्यो युयुत्सया,भूमिसम्बन्धी दोषोंसेः रहित उस परम धार्मिक प्रदेशमें युद्ध करनेकी इच्छासे अठारह अक्षौहिणी सेनाएँ इकट्टी हुई थीं
tasmin paramadharmiṣṭhe deśe bhūdoṣavarjite | aṣṭādaśa samājam murakṣauhiṇyo yuyutsayā ||
In that region renowned for the highest righteousness and free from defects of the land, eighteen great armies (akṣauhiṇīs) assembled, driven by the desire to fight—signaling how even a place praised for dharma can become the stage for war when human resolve turns toward conflict.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes a land celebrated for dharma with the gathering of vast armies, highlighting that righteousness of place or tradition does not automatically prevent violence; ethical outcomes depend on human intention and choices.
It describes the mustering of forces: eighteen akṣauhiṇīs assemble in a highly esteemed, ‘faultless’ region, motivated by yuyutsā—an eagerness for battle—foreshadowing large-scale conflict.