Shloka 17
मარკण्डेयागमनम् तथा सत्यव्रत-उपदेशः
Arrival of Mārkaṇḍeya and Counsel on Truth-Vows
यथा हि सुमहानग्नि: कक्षं दहति सानिल: । तथा दहति राजन्यो ब्राह्मणेन समं रिपुम्,'जैसे प्रचण्ड अग्नि वायुका सहारा पाकर सूखे जंगलको जला डालती है, उसी प्रकार ब्राह्मणकी सहायतासे राजा अपने शत्रुको भस्म कर देता है
yathā hi sumahān agniḥ kakṣaṃ dahati sānilaḥ | tathā dahati rājanyo brāhmaṇena samaṃ ripum ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「強大な火が風の助けを得て乾いた藪を焼き尽くすように、婆羅門の支えを得たクシャトリヤの王は、敵をも焼き尽くして灰とする。これは、婆羅門の助言、祭式の権威、そしてダルマにかなう策によって導かれ強められるとき、王権が決定的となることを示す。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal force is most effective—and ideally dharmically directed—when joined with brahminical guidance (counsel, learning, ritual authority). The verse presents a model of complementary social powers: the king acts, the brāhmaṇa guides and empowers.
Vaiśampāyana uses a vivid simile to explain how a king can overcome enemies when supported by a brāhmaṇa, comparing their combined efficacy to fire intensified by wind that rapidly consumes dry brush.