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 ।।
śatrusenā-kalatrasya sarvalokā na dūrataḥ |
Sinabi ni Ambarīṣa: Para sa mandirigmang itinuturing ang hukbo ng kaaway na parang kanyang kabiyak—laging kaharap at di-maihihiwalay sa disiplina ng labanan—hindi malayo ang mga pinagpalang daigdig. Ang gayong mandirigma, na ang ayos ng hanay at asal sa digmaan ay wari’y banal na tungkulin, ay nagkakamit ng merit sa pamamagitan ng katatagan, tapang, at di-natitinag na pagtalima sa itinakdang gampanin.
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.