Shloka 16

Devanagari script

उपाख्यानमिदं शक्रविजयं वेदसम्मितम्‌ । राज्ञा व्यूढेष्वनीकेषु श्रोतव्यं जयमिच्छता,शत्रुओंकी सेना जब मोर्चा बाँधकर खड़ी हो, उस समय विजयकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले राजाको यह “इन्द्रविजय” नामक वेदतुल्य उपाख्यान अवश्य सुनना चाहिये

Transliteration

upākhyānam idaṃ śakravijayaṃ vedasammitam | rājñā vyūḍheṣv anīkeṣu śrotavyaṃ jayam icchatā ||

Translation

Wika ni Śalya: “Ang salaysay na ito, na tinatawag na ‘Tagumpay ni Indra,’ ay maihahambing sa Veda sa bigat ng kapangyarihan at kahulugan. Kapag nakahanay na sa digmaan ang mga hukbo, ang haring nagnanais ng tagumpay ay nararapat na makinig dito.”

Word by Word

उपाख्यानम्narrative, episode

इदम्this

शक्रविजयम्the victory of Śakra (Indra); ‘Śakr विजय’ (title)

वेदसम्मितम्equal to the Veda; Veda-like

राज्ञाby/for a king

व्यूढेषुwhen arranged/drawn up (in battle array)

अनीकेषुin the armies/divisions

श्रोतव्यम्should be heard/listened to

जयम्victory

इच्छताby one desiring

Speaker

शल्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śalya

Śakra (Indra)

a king (rājā)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Before decisive action in war, a ruler should ground himself in authoritative, dharma-aligned instruction. The verse frames the ‘Śakra-vijaya’ narrative as Veda-like guidance meant to steady intention, strategy, and moral resolve when victory is sought.

What is happening in the narrative?

Śalya recommends that, once the opposing forces are fully deployed for battle, the king should listen to the instructive tale called ‘Indra’s Victory.’ It functions as timely counsel delivered at the brink of conflict.