Shloka 19

Yuddha-yajña-vyākhyāna (The Battle as Sacrifice): Ambarīṣa–Indra Saṃvāda

Devanagari script

दीपिचर्मावनद्धश्न नागदन्तकृतत्सरु: । हस्तिहस्तहर: खड्ग: स्फ्यो भवेत्‌ तस्य संयुगे

Transliteration

dīpicarmāvanaddhaś ca nāgadantakṛtatsaruḥ | hastihastaharaḥ khaḍgaḥ sphyo bhavet tasya saṃyuge ||

Translation

安婆梨沙说道：“一柄宝剑，藏于豹皮之鞘，柄以象牙所制，锋利到足以斩断象鼻——如此之剑，在战阵逼迫之中，便成为持剑者真正的护持与优势。”

Word by Word

• दीपिचर्मावनद्धः: bound/covered with leopard-skin sheath
• दीपिचर्मावनद्धः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीपिचर्म + अवनद्ध
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नागदन्तकृतत्सरुः: having a hilt made of elephant-ivory
• नागदन्तकृतत्सरुः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नागदन्त + कृत + त्सरु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• हस्तिहस्तहरः: removing/cutting the elephant’s trunk
• हस्तिहस्तहरः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हस्ति + हस्त + हर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• खड्गः: sword
• खड्गः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• स्फ्यः: a wedge/cleaver-like tool (sphyá)
• स्फ्यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फ्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• भवेत्: would be / should become
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Singular

• तस्य: of him / his
• तस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• संयुगे: in battle
• संयुगे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: संयुग
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

अम्बरीष उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Ambarīṣa
• khaḍga (sword)
• dīpicarma (leopard-skin scabbard)
• nāgadanta (ivory/elephant tusk)
• hasti (elephant)
• saṃyuga (battle)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights practical preparedness in the context of righteous warfare: when conflict is unavoidable, appropriate equipment and readiness function as protection, enabling one to carry out duty with greater safety and effectiveness.

What is happening in the narrative?

Ambarīṣa is describing an ideal battle-sword—its scabbard material, its ivory hilt, and its cutting power—emphasizing how such a weapon serves as a decisive safeguard in combat.