Shloka 25
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
“तुम सम-विषम (ऊँची-नीची) भूमियोंमें सम्भ्रमरहित (सावधान) होकर रथपर बैठो (और घोड़ोंकी सँभाल रखो)। आज मैं सारे आकाशको घेरकर खड़े हुए (महान) पर्वतको भी अपने बाणोंसे विदीर्ण कर डालूँगा ।। अहमिन्द्रस्य वचनात् संग्रामे5भ्यहनं पुरा । पौलोमान् कालखज्जांश्व सहस्नाणि शतानि च,“मैंने पहले देवराज इन्द्रकी आज्ञासे युद्धमें उनके शत्रु पौलोम और कालखंज नामक लाखों दानवोंका वध किया है
tvaṃ sama-viṣama-bhūmiṣu sambhrama-rahitaḥ (sāvadhānaḥ) rathopari niṣīda (aśvān saṃyamya). adya ahaṃ sarvam ākāśaṃ parigṛhya sthitaṃ mahā-parvataṃ api svabāṇaiḥ vidārayiṣyāmi. aham indrasya vacanāt saṅgrāme ’bhyahanam purā paulomān kālakhañjāṃś ca sahasrāṇi śatāni ca.
Waiśampāyana berkata— “Duduklah teguh di atas kereta, tetap waspada dan tak terguncang meski melintasi tanah yang rata maupun tak rata, dan kendalikan kuda-kuda itu. Hari ini akan kupelah bahkan gunung maha besar yang seakan menutupi seluruh langit dengan anak panahku. Sebab dahulu, atas titah Dewa-raja Indra, dalam pertempuran aku telah menewaskan tak terbilang banyaknya raksasa—Pauloma dan Kālakhañja—hingga ratusan dan ribuan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights disciplined courage: steadiness of mind and control of one’s means (the chariot and horses) are prerequisites for effective action in conflict. It also frames martial power as legitimate when exercised under rightful command (Indra’s order), linking strength with responsibility rather than mere aggression.
The speaker urges the charioteer/companion to remain composed on difficult terrain and to manage the horses carefully, while boasting of extraordinary archery—claiming he can even split a sky-filling mountain. He supports this claim by recalling past battles in which, at Indra’s command, he killed vast numbers of demons called the Paulomas and Kālakhañjas.