Shloka 19
Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda
दीपिचर्मावनद्धश्न नागदन्तकृतत्सरु: । हस्तिहस्तहर: खड्ग: स्फ्यो भवेत् तस्य संयुगे,जो व्याप्रचर्मकी म्यानमें बँधा रहता है, जिसकी मूँठ हाथीके दाँतकी बनी होती है तथा जो गजराजोंके शुण्डदण्डको काट लेता है, वह खड़्ग उस युद्धमें स्फ्यका काम देता है
dīpicarmāvanaddhaś ca nāgadantakṛtatsaruḥ | hastihastaharaḥ khaḍgaḥ sphyo bhavet tasya saṃyuge ||
Ambarīṣa berkata: “Sebilah pedang yang tersarung dalam sarung kulit harimau bintang, berhulu gading gajah, dan setajam hingga mampu memutus belalai gajah—pedang demikian menjadi, di tengah himpitan perang, pelindung dan kelebihan yang nyata bagi pemiliknya.”
अम्बरीष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical preparedness in the context of righteous warfare: when conflict is unavoidable, appropriate equipment and readiness function as protection, enabling one to carry out duty with greater safety and effectiveness.
Ambarīṣa is describing an ideal battle-sword—its scabbard material, its ivory hilt, and its cutting power—emphasizing how such a weapon serves as a decisive safeguard in combat.