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Shloka 16

Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)

उपाख्यानमिदं शक्रविजयं वेदसम्मितम्‌ । राज्ञा व्यूढेष्वनीकेषु श्रोतव्यं जयमिच्छता,शत्रुओंकी सेना जब मोर्चा बाँधकर खड़ी हो, उस समय विजयकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले राजाको यह “इन्द्रविजय” नामक वेदतुल्य उपाख्यान अवश्य सुनना चाहिये

upākhyānam idaṃ śakravijayaṃ vedasammitam | rājñā vyūḍheṣv anīkeṣu śrotavyaṃ jayam icchatā ||

シャリヤは言った。「この物語は『インドラの勝利』と呼ばれ、その権威と趣旨においてヴェーダに比すべきものである。軍勢が戦陣に布かれたとき、勝利を願う王は必ずこれを聴くべきである。」

उपाख्यानम्narrative, episode
उपाख्यानम्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootउपाख्यान
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
इदम्this
इदम्:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootइदम्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
शक्रविजयम्the victory of Śakra (Indra); ‘Śakr विजय’ (title)
शक्रविजयम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशक्रविजय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
वेदसम्मितम्equal to the Veda; Veda-like
वेदसम्मितम्:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootवेदसम्मित
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
राज्ञाby/for a king
राज्ञा:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootराजन्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
व्यूढेषुwhen arranged/drawn up (in battle array)
व्यूढेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootव्यूढ
FormNeuter, Locative, Plural
अनीकेषुin the armies/divisions
अनीकेषु:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootअनीक
FormNeuter, Locative, Plural
श्रोतव्यम्should be heard/listened to
श्रोतव्यम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular, Gerundive (तव्यत्), impersonal obligation
जयम्victory
जयम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootजय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
इच्छताby one desiring
इच्छता:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootइष्
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular, Present active participle (शतृ)

शल्य उवाच

Ś
Śalya
Ś
Śakra (Indra)
A
a king (rājā)

Educational Q&A

Before decisive action in war, a ruler should ground himself in authoritative, dharma-aligned instruction. The verse frames the ‘Śakra-vijaya’ narrative as Veda-like guidance meant to steady intention, strategy, and moral resolve when victory is sought.

Śalya recommends that, once the opposing forces are fully deployed for battle, the king should listen to the instructive tale called ‘Indra’s Victory.’ It functions as timely counsel delivered at the brink of conflict.