Shloka 13
कालविभाग-निरूपणं तथा युद्धव्यवस्था
Time-Reckoning and Mobilization Counsel
अथवा तानपाहाय मत्स्यो जानपदै: सह । सर्वया सेनया सार्धथ संवृतो भीमरूपया । आयात: केवल रात्रिमस्मान् योद्धुमिहागत:
athavā tān apahāya matsyo jānapadaiḥ saha | sarvayā senayā sārdham saṃvṛto bhīmarūpayā | āyātaḥ kevala-rātrim asmān yoddhum ihāgataḥ ||
Oder aber: Nachdem er jene Männer zurückgelassen hatte, kam der König der Matsyas (Matsya) mit seinen Landsleuten hierher, umringt von seinem gesamten Heer, von furchterregender Erscheinung. Er traf erst in der Nacht ein, da er mit der Absicht gekommen war, hier gegen uns zu kämpfen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical weight of royal decision-making in conflict: a king may abandon one course and mobilize the full strength of the realm, even choosing the cover of night, when intent turns toward confrontation. It underscores how collective power (subjects and army) is drawn into a ruler’s chosen path.
Vaiśampāyana reports that King Matsya (Virāṭa), leaving aside certain people, arrived at night accompanied by his countrymen and surrounded by his entire formidable army, having come to fight the opposing party present there.