Shloka 14
Kārtavīrya–Samudra Saṃvāda and the Jāmadagnya Precedent (आश्वमेधिक पर्व, अध्याय २९)
ततस्तु क्षत्रिया: केचिज्जामदग्न्य भयार्दिता: । विविशुर्गिरिदुर्गाणि मृगा: सिंहार्दिता इव,उस समय बहुत-से क्षत्रिय परशुरामजीके भयसे पीड़ित हो सिंहके सताये हुए मृगोंकी भाँति पर्वतोंकी गुफाओंमें घुस गये
tatastu kṣatriyāḥ kecij jāmadagnyabhayārditāḥ | viviśur giridur gāṇi mṛgāḥ siṁhārditā iva ||
Then, some of the kṣatriyas, tormented by fear of Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma), fled into mountain strongholds and caves—like deer driven in terror by a lion. The verse underscores how unchecked violence and the reputation of relentless retribution can reduce even warriors to panic and flight, revealing fear’s power to overturn social pride and martial identity.
समुद्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear generated by relentless punitive power can collapse pride and social identity: even kṣatriyas, expected to stand firm, seek hiding like prey. Ethically, it points to the destabilizing effects of excessive violence and the moral-psychological consequences of a reputation for uncompromising retribution.
Samudra describes a moment when certain kṣatriyas, terrified of Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma), abandon open confrontation and rush into mountain fastnesses and caves, compared to deer fleeing a lion.