Shloka 13
Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda
संनद्धो दीक्षित: सर्वो योध: प्राप्प चमूमुखम् । युद्धयज्ञाधिकारस्थो भवतीति विनिश्चय:
saṃnaddho dīkṣitaḥ sarvo yodhaḥ prāpya camūmukham | yuddhayajñādhikārastho bhavatīti viniścayaḥ ||
கவசம் அணிந்து போர்தீட்சை பெற்ற எந்த வீரனும் படையின் முன்னணியை அடைந்தவுடன் போர் எனும் யாகத்திற்குரிய அதிகாரம் பெறுகிறான்—இது என் உறுதியான முடிவு.
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames warfare, when entered with proper preparation and commitment to duty, as a ritualized obligation: the warrior becomes 'eligible' for the 'war-sacrifice' by being armed, consecrated, and standing at the battle-front—emphasizing disciplined, duty-bound action rather than mere violence.
Indra is giving an authoritative judgment about the status of combatants: once a fighter has taken up armor and the formal resolve/initiatory commitment to fight, and has reached the army’s forefront, he is considered a rightful participant in the sacrificial rite metaphorically identified with battle.