Chapter 1 · Prathamo’dhyāyaḥ (First Chapter)
Verse 6
तस्य तैरभवद् युद्धमतिप्रबलदण्डिनः। न्यूनैरपि स तैर्युद्धे कोलाविध्वंसिभिर्जितः ॥ ६ ॥
tasya tairabhavad yuddhamatiprabaladaṇḍinaḥ | nyūnairapi sa tairyuddhē kōlāvidhvaṁsibhirjitaḥ || 6 ||
Translation
A battle occurred between him (Suratha), who was a very powerful ruler, and them. Even though they were inferior, he was defeated in battle by those destroyers of his line.
Word by word
- tasya
- his (Suratha's)
- taiḥ
- by them (the enemy kings)
- abhavat
- there was
- yuddham
- battle
- atiprabaladaṇḍinaḥ
- of the one wielding a very powerful scepter
- nyūnaiḥ
- by those who were inferior
- api
- even
- saḥ
- he
- yuddhē
- in battle
- kōlāvidhvaṁsibhiḥ
- by the destroyers of his line
- jitaḥ
- was defeated
Meaning
This verse highlights the cruel irony and the first sign of his misfortune. Despite King Suratha being immensely powerful (atiprabaladaṇḍinaḥ), he was defeated by kings who were weaker than him. This unexpected defeat underscores the theme that worldly power is transient and can be overturned by fate, a central theme that will lead him to seek spiritual wisdom.