Shloka 35

Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda

Devanagari script

ऋष्टिखड्गमहानौका गृध्रकड्कबलप्लवा । पुरुषादानुचरिता भीरूणां कश्मलावहा

Transliteration

ṛṣṭikhaḍgamahānaukā gṛdhrakaḍkabalaplavā | puruṣādānucaritā bhīrūṇāṁ kaśmalāvahā ||

Translation

Dijo Ambarīṣa: «Esta gran “barca” está hecha de lanzas y espadas, y sus balsas se forman con batallones ásperos, semejantes a buitres. La gobiernan seguidores devoradores de hombres, y trae desconcierto y pánico moral a los pusilánimes.»

Word by Word

ऋष्टिखड्गमहानौकाshe whose great boat is spear-and-sword (i.e., armed with spear and sword as her great vessel)

गृध्रकङ्कबलप्लवाshe whose raft/float is the strength of vultures and herons (i.e., supported by vulture-and-kanka forces)

पुरुषादानुचरिताfollowed by man-seizing (i.e., attended by those who seize men)

भीरूणाम्of the timid/cowardly

कश्मलावहाbringing delusion/distress

Speaker

अम्बरीष उवाच

Characters & Entities

Ambarīṣa

spears (ṛṣṭi)

swords (khaḍga)

boat (naukā)

vultures (gṛdhra)

army/forces (bala)

man-eaters (puruṣāda)

the timid (bhīru)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse warns that a path driven by weapons, predatory forces, and cruel followers generates kaśmala—inner confusion and ethical collapse—especially in those who lack steadiness; it cautions against being carried along by violent, fear-inducing power.

What is happening in the narrative?

Ambarīṣa speaks in a vivid metaphor, describing a terrifying ‘boat’ of warfare—built from spears and swords and supported by fierce troops—guided by savage attendants, emphasizing how such an environment overwhelms and destabilizes the fearful.