Shloka 286
Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda
न भयाद् विनिवर्तेत तस्य लोका यथा मम | जो शूरवीर अपने स्वामीके लिये सेनाके मुहानेपर खड़ा होकर पराक्रम प्रकट करता है और भयसे कभी पीठ नहीं दिखाता, उसको मेरे समान लोकोंकी प्राप्ति होती है
na bhayād vinivarteta tasya lokā yathā mama |
Janganlah berpaling karena takut. Siapa yang demi tuannya berdiri teguh di muka barisan, menampakkan keberanian dan tak pernah membelakangi musuh karena gentar—ia meraih dunia-dunia seperti duniaku.
अम्बरीष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds the warrior’s dharma of steadfast courage: retreating from fear is condemned, while loyal valor shown for one’s rightful leader is praised as meritorious, leading to exalted posthumous realms (lokas).
In Śānti Parva’s ethical instruction, Ambarīṣa speaks about the conduct of a true hero in battle—standing at the army’s forefront for his master and refusing to turn back in fear—linking such conduct to the attainment of heavenly worlds.