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 ।।
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.
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「戦車にしっかりと座し、地が高低に乱れていようとも心を乱さず、馬をよく制御せよ。今日、我は矢をもって、天を覆い尽くすかに見える大山すら裂いてみせよう。かつて我は、天帝インドラの命により、戦場にて数えきれぬ魔族――パウローマとカーラカンジャ――を百に千にと討ち滅ぼしたのだ。」
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.