Shloka 39
Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda
शत्रुसेनाकलत्रस्य सर्वलोका न दूरत: । जिस वीरके लिये दक्षिणदिशामें स्थित योद्धा सदस्य हैं, उत्तरदिशावर्ती योद्धा आग्नीध्र (ऋत्विक्) हैं एवं शत्रुसेना पत्नीस्वरूप है, उसके लिये समस्त पुण्यलोक दूर नहीं हैं ।। ३८ हे यदा तूभयतो व्यूहे भवत्याकाशमग्रत:
śatrusenā-kalatrasya sarvalokā na dūrataḥ |
Ambarīṣa berkata: Bagi pahlawan yang memandang bala tentera musuh sebagai pasangan yang terikat dengannya—sentiasa hadir dan tidak terpisah dalam disiplin pertempuran—alam-alam kebajikan tidaklah jauh. Pejuang demikian, yang susunan barisannya dan tata lakunya dalam perang mencerminkan kewajipan suci, meraih pahala melalui keteguhan, keberanian, dan kesetiaan yang tidak goyah pada tugasnya.
अम्बरीष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that steadfast performance of one’s appointed duty—here, the disciplined Kṣatriya role in battle—can become a source of great merit. When a warrior treats the enemy host as an ever-present, binding counterpart (like a spouse), he remains unwavering, and the fruits of righteous conduct are said to be near.
Ambarīṣa is speaking in the Śānti Parva, presenting a reflection on duty and the moral logic of action. He uses a striking metaphor—calling the enemy army a ‘wife’—to emphasize constancy, commitment, and the ritual-like order of a warrior’s conduct, linking such resolve with attainment of auspicious realms.