Shloka 353
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
हत्वा तां महतीं सेनां त्रिगर्तानां महारथ: । तदनन्तर महारथी सहदेव त्रिगर्तोंकी उस महासेनाका संहार करके अत्यन्त उग्र रूप धारण किये हाथमें धनुष ले सुशर्मापर चढ़ आये
hatvā tāṁ mahatīṁ senāṁ trigartānāṁ mahārathaḥ | tadanantaraṁ mahārathī sahadevaḥ suśarmāṇam abhyāruroha dhanuḥ-pāṇiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having slain the great army of the Trigartas, the mighty chariot-warrior Sahadeva—assuming a fiercely formidable aspect—took his bow in hand and then advanced upon King Suśarmā. The passage highlights the momentum of righteous resistance in battle: after breaking the enemy host, the warrior presses toward the opposing leader to end further harm and disorder.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: after neutralizing a threatening force, a warrior may rightly confront the enemy leader to prevent further violence and restore order, acting with resolve rather than cruelty.
After Sahadeva has routed and destroyed the Trigarta host, he takes up his bow, assumes a fierce battle-form, and charges toward their king Suśarmā, escalating the conflict from defeating the army to confronting its commander.