Shloka 41

Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)

Devanagari script

ततो विराट: प्रस्कन्द्य रथादथ सुशर्मण:

Transliteration

tato virāṭaḥ praskandya rathād atha suśarmaṇaḥ | gadāṃ gṛhītvā tvarito 'bhidudrāva tam eva ca ||

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Then King Virāṭa leapt down from Suśarman’s chariot. Seizing the mace, he rushed straight at him. Though advanced in years, Virāṭa moved across the battlefield with the vigor of a young warrior—showing steadfast royal courage and the resolve to meet aggression without yielding.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• विराटः: Virāṭa (the king)
• विराटः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: विराट
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रस्कन्द्य: having leapt down
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-स्कन्द्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)

• रथात्: from the chariot
• रथात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• अथ: then, and then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• सुशर्मणः: of Suśarman
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुशर्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Virāṭa
• Suśarman
• ratha (chariot)
• gadā (mace)
• raṇabhūmi (battlefield)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: a ruler must show courage and steadfastness in protecting honor and resisting aggression. Virāṭa’s vigor despite age underscores that duty and resolve can transcend physical limitations.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the battle episode, King Virāṭa jumps down from Suśarman’s chariot, takes up a mace, and charges directly at Suśarman, moving on the battlefield with youthful energy despite being elderly.