Shloka 13
अलर्कोपाख्यानम् — Indriya-Nigraha and Yogic Victory
Mahābhārata 14.30
जिल्बोवाच नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथंचन । तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति भिन्नमर्मा मरिष्यसि
jilbovāca neme bāṇāstariṣyanti mām alarka kathaṃcana | tavaiva marma bhetsyanti bhinnamarmā mariṣyasi ||
Jilba said: “Alarka, these arrows will not miss me in any way. Rather, they will strike your own vital points; with your vital organs pierced, you will die.”
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethos of certainty and intimidation in battle: confidence is asserted by claiming the opponent’s attack will rebound upon him, emphasizing the fatal consequence of striking vital points (marma). Ethically, it reflects how pride and violent resolve escalate conflict rather than restrain it.
In a confrontational exchange, Jilba addresses Alarka and declares that Alarka’s arrows will not harm Jilba; instead, they will pierce Alarka’s own vital spots, leading to Alarka’s death—an explicit threat and prediction within a battle context.