Shloka 14
Kārtavīrya–Samudra Saṃvāda and the Jāmadagnya Precedent (आश्वमेधिक पर्व, अध्याय २९)
ततस्तु क्षत्रिया: केचिज्जामदग्न्य भयार्दिता: । विविशुर्गिरिदुर्गाणि मृगा: सिंहार्दिता इव,उस समय बहुत-से क्षत्रिय परशुरामजीके भयसे पीड़ित हो सिंहके सताये हुए मृगोंकी भाँति पर्वतोंकी गुफाओंमें घुस गये
tatastu kṣatriyāḥ kecij jāmadagnyabhayārditāḥ | viviśur giridur gāṇi mṛgāḥ siṁhārditā iva ||
Then some of the kṣatriyas, tormented by fear of Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma), fled into mountain strongholds and caves—like deer driven in terror by a lion.
समुद्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear generated by relentless punitive power can collapse pride and social identity: even kṣatriyas, expected to stand firm, seek hiding like prey. Ethically, it points to the destabilizing effects of excessive violence and the moral-psychological consequences of a reputation for uncompromising retribution.
Samudra describes a moment when certain kṣatriyas, terrified of Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma), abandon open confrontation and rush into mountain fastnesses and caves, compared to deer fleeing a lion.