Shloka 50
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
तस्मिन् गृहीते विरथे त्रिगर्तानां महारथे । अभज्यत बल सर्व त्रैगर्त तद् भयातुरम्
tasmin gṛhīte virathe trigartānāṁ mahārathe | abhajyata balaṁ sarvaṁ traigartaṁ tad bhayāturam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When that great chariot-warrior of the Trigartas was seized after being made chariotless, the entire Trigarta host—stricken with fear—broke ranks and scattered.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical importance of steadfastness and discipline in war: when leadership collapses, fear spreads quickly, and an undisciplined force breaks apart. It implicitly values courage, cohesion, and responsible command as elements of kṣatriya conduct.
A foremost Trigarta warrior is rendered chariotless and captured; seeing this, the Trigarta troops become terrified and the entire host loses formation, dispersing in panic.