Shloka 3
अध्याय २९७ — श्रेयः, धृति, दान-नियमाः
Welfare, Steadfastness, and Norms of Giving
रणाजिरे यत्र शराग्निसंस्तरे नृपात्मजो घातमवाप्य दह्ाते । प्रयाति लोकानमरै: सुदुर्लभान् निषेवते स्वर्गफलं यथासुखम्
raṇājire yatra śarāgnisaṃstare nṛpātmajo ghātam avāpya dahyate | prayāti lokān amaraiḥ sudurlabhān niṣevate svargaphalaṃ yathāsukham ||
Sur le champ de bataille—où le sol est jonché comme d’une couche de flèches et de feu—le fils d’un roi, rencontrant la mort et se trouvant consumé (dans l’embrasement de la guerre), s’en va vers des mondes que même les dieux atteignent à grand-peine. Là, en paix, il jouit du fruit du ciel selon son bonheur.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a kṣatriya who meets death in righteous battle is portrayed as gaining extraordinary posthumous merit—reaching exalted realms and enjoying heavenly reward—thus reinforcing the ethical ideal of fulfilling one’s ordained duty (svadharma) without fear of death.
Parāśara describes a prince dying amid the horrors of battle, depicted as a ‘bed’ of arrows and fire. Despite the violent setting, the outcome is presented as spiritually elevated: the fallen warrior departs to rare celestial worlds and enjoys the fruits of heaven.