Shloka 21
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
कड्कबल्लवगोपाला दामग्रन्थिश्न वीर्यवान् युद्धयेयुरिति मे बुद्धिर्वर्तते नात्र संशय:,'भैया! मेरे विचारमें यह बात आती है कि ये कंक, बल्लव, तन्तिपाल और ग्रन्थिक भी युद्ध कर सकते हैं, इसमें संशय नहीं है
kaṅka-ballava-gopālā dāma-granthiś ca vīryavān | yuddhāya yeyer iti me buddhir vartate nātra saṁśayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “My mind is firmly of the view that these men—Kaṅka, Ballava, the cowherd, and the one skilled in tying knots—are capable of fighting. Of this there is no doubt.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and confidence in latent capability: even those appearing as ordinary attendants (through disguise or social role) may possess true martial strength; one should judge by inner prowess and conduct rather than outward labels.
In the Virāṭa episode, the narrator reports a character’s firm assessment that the disguised figures—Kaṅka and Ballava along with others identified by their roles—are fully able to take up battle, implying their concealed warrior nature and readiness for conflict.