Shloka 39
शत्रुसेनाकलत्रस्य सर्वलोका न दूरत: । जिस वीरके लिये दक्षिणदिशामें स्थित योद्धा सदस्य हैं, उत्तरदिशावर्ती योद्धा आग्नीध्र (ऋत्विक्) हैं एवं शत्रुसेना पत्नीस्वरूप है, उसके लिये समस्त पुण्यलोक दूर नहीं हैं ।। ३८ हे यदा तूभयतो व्यूहे भवत्याकाशमग्रत:
śatrusenā-kalatrasya sarvalokā na dūrataḥ |
Ambarīṣa said: For the warrior who regards the enemy host as his wedded consort—ever-present and inseparable in the discipline of battle—the blessed worlds are not far away. Such a fighter, whose ordered ranks and ritual-like conduct in war mirror sacred duty, attains merit through steadfastness, courage, and unwavering commitment to his appointed role.
अम्बरीष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that steadfast performance of one’s appointed duty—here, the disciplined Kṣatriya role in battle—can become a source of great merit. When a warrior treats the enemy host as an ever-present, binding counterpart (like a spouse), he remains unwavering, and the fruits of righteous conduct are said to be near.
Ambarīṣa is speaking in the Śānti Parva, presenting a reflection on duty and the moral logic of action. He uses a striking metaphor—calling the enemy army a ‘wife’—to emphasize constancy, commitment, and the ritual-like order of a warrior’s conduct, linking such resolve with attainment of auspicious realms.