Shloka 22
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 25: Kaurava Deliberation and the Search Directive (अन्वेषण-आदेशः)
(श्यालो राज्ञो विराटस्य सेनापतिरुदारधी: । सुदेष्णाया: स वै ज्येष्ठ: शूरो वीरो गतव्यथ: ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
śyālo rājño virāṭasya senāpatir udāradhīḥ |
sudeṣṇāyāḥ sa vai jyeṣṭhaḥ śūro vīro gatavyathaḥ ||
utsāhavān mahāvīryo nītimān balavān api |
yuddhajño ripuvīraghnaḥ siṃhatulyaparākramaḥ ||
prajārakṣaṇadakṣaś ca śatrugrahaṇaśaktimān |
vijitārir ahāyuddhe pracaṇḍo mānavat paraḥ ||
naranārīmanohlādī dhīro vāgmī raṇapriyaḥ |
udāracittaḥ kīcakaḥ ||
sa hato niśi gandharvaḥ strīnimittaṃ narādhipa |
amṛṣyamāṇo duṣṭātmā niśīthe saha sodaraiḥ ||
suhṛdaś cāsya nihatā yodhāś ca pravarā hatāḥ |
priyam etad upaśrutya śatrūṇāṃ ca parābhavam |
kṛtakṛtyaś ca kauravya vidhatsva yad anantaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Kīcaka—brother-in-law of King Virāṭa and commander of his forces—was a man of noble intellect. He was the eldest brother of Queen Sudeṣṇā: a hero, fearless and untroubled; energetic, of great prowess, politically wise, and strong. Skilled in the arts of war, a slayer of enemy champions, lion-like in valor; adept at protecting the people and powerful in subduing foes; victorious over enemies in great battles; fierce and proud; pleasing to the minds of men and women; steadfast, eloquent, and fond of combat—such was Kīcaka, generous at heart. “O king, that intolerant and wicked-minded Kīcaka has been slain at midnight by a Gandharva, and this happened because of a woman; he was killed together with his brothers. His dear friends and his foremost warriors too have been killed. “Hearing this welcome report—the defeat of your enemies—O son of Kuru, consider your purpose accomplished, and now do what should be done next.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage contrasts outward excellence (valor, eloquence, public service) with inner moral failure: unchecked lust, pride, and intolerance lead to ruin. It also implies a dharmic restoration—when power is abused, a corrective force arises, and the oppressor’s fall becomes a turning point for rightful action.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Kīcaka, Virāṭa’s powerful commander and Sudeṣṇā’s eldest brother, has been killed at midnight along with his brothers, said to be by a ‘Gandharva’ due to a woman (Draupadī). His allies and elite soldiers are also slain, and the listener is urged to proceed with the next step now that enemies are brought low.