Shloka 34
Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda
शोणितोदा सुसम्पूर्णा दुस्तरा पारगैनरि: । हतनागमहानक्रा परलोकवहाशिवा
śoṇitodā susampūrṇā dustarā pāragair nṛbhiḥ | hatanāga-mahānakrā paralokavahā śivā ||
ଅମ୍ବରୀଷ କହିଲେ—ରକ୍ତଜଳରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସେ ନଦୀ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭରିଯାଇଛି; ଘାଟ ଜାଣିଥିବା ଲୋକଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାହା ପାର ହେବା ଦୁଷ୍କର। ସେଠାରେ ମହାନ୍ କୁମ୍ଭୀର ଅଛନ୍ତି, ହତ ଗଜମାନଙ୍କ ଦେହ ଛିଟିଯାଇଛି; ସେ ଜୀବମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରଲୋକକୁ ବହିନେଇଯାଏ—ତଥାପି (ଏହି ଭୟଙ୍କର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ମଧ୍ୟ) ତାହାକୁ ‘ଶିବା’—‘ମଙ୍ଗଳମୟୀ’ ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଏ।
अम्बरीष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses stark battlefield/otherworld imagery to underline the moral gravity of violence and death: actions can sweep beings toward the afterlife like an overflowing, perilous river. Calling it ‘śivā’ highlights a paradox—death can be ‘auspicious’ only in the sense that it delivers the inevitable fruit of karma and leads the soul onward, urging ethical restraint and dharmic conduct.
Ambarīṣa describes a terrifying river—filled with blood, crowded with crocodiles, and marked by slain elephants—portraying an almost infernal crossing associated with death and the passage to the next world. The description functions as a warning and a moral illustration within the reflective, didactic tone of Śānti Parva.