Shloka 18
Virāṭa Rescued from Suśarmā; Night Battle and Royal Gratitude (विराटमोक्षणं सुशर्मवधाभिमुखं च)
ते घ्नन्त: समरे<न्योन्यं शूरा: परिघबाहव: । न शेकुरभिसंरब्धा: शूरान् कर्तु पराड्मुखान्,परिघकी-सी मोटी बाँहोंवाले शूरमा कुपित हो एक-दूसरेपर घातक प्रहार करते हुए भी सच्चे शूरवीरोंको युद्धसे विमुख नहीं कर पाते थे
te ghnantaḥ samare 'nyonyaṃ śūrāḥ parighabāhavaḥ | na śekur abhisamrabdhāḥ śūrān kartuṃ parāṅmukhān ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Mitten im Kampf schlugen jene Helden mit keulenartigen Armen einander tödliche Hiebe; doch selbst in ihrer Wut vermochten sie es nicht, wahre Krieger vom Gefecht abzuwenden.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ideal: even under intense anger and mutual violence, genuine heroes do not abandon their duty or lose heart. It frames steadfastness in battle as a mark of true valor within kṣatriya-dharma.
A fierce combat is underway. Warriors with great strength exchange heavy, lethal blows, but despite the ferocity, neither side can force the real heroes to turn their backs and retreat.