Mahabharata 9.46.40 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 46, Shloka 40
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
शत्रूणां विग्रहे नित्यं भयदास्ता भवन्त्युत । कामरूपधराश्चैव जवे वायुसमास्तथा,युद्ध छिड़ जानेपर वे सदा शत्रुओंके लिये भयदायिनी होती हैं। वे इच्छानुसार रूप धारण करनेवाली तथा वायुके समान वेगशालिनी हैं
śatrūṇāṃ vigrahe nityaṃ bhayadāstā bhavanty uta | kāmarūpadharāś caiva jave vāyusamās tathā ||
వైశంపాయనుడు పలికెను—యుద్ధసంఘర్షంలో అవి నిత్యం శత్రువులకు భయంకరమవుతాయి. అవి ఇష్టానుసారంగా రూపం ధరించగలవు; వేగంలో వాయువుతో సమానం.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, certain forces become instruments of fear through extraordinary mobility and adaptability—suggesting that tactical advantage often lies in speed and the ability to respond fluidly to changing conditions.
Vaiśampāyana describes a group (spoken of in feminine plural) as terrifying to enemies once battle is joined, emphasizing their shape-shifting capacity and wind-like swiftness as key reasons they inspire dread on the battlefield.
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