Shloka 22
Virāṭa’s Mobilization to Recover the Cattle (गोधनरक्षणार्थ विराटस्य सैन्यसमायोजनम्)
प्रागेव हि सुसंवीतो मत्स्यस्य विषयं प्रति । जघन्यतो वयं तत्र यास्यामो दिवसान्तरे । विषयं मत्स्यराजस्य सुसमृद्धं सुसंहता:
prāg eva hi susaṃvīto matsyasya viṣayaṃ prati | jaghanyato vayaṃ tatra yāsyāmo divasāntare | viṣayaṃ matsyarājasya susamṛddhaṃ susaṃhatāḥ |
Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: «Que Suśarmā, provisto de todo, avance primero contra la tierra de los Matsyas. Luego, desde la retaguardia, nosotros lo seguiremos un día después; unidos por completo, asaltaremos el próspero reino del rey de los Matsyas».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ambiguity of warfare conducted through coordinated raids and deception: success is sought through preparation, timing, and unity, showing how political aims can override straightforward dharmic conduct in conflict.
A plan is being described in which Suśarmā is to attack the Matsya territory first, while the others will follow from behind a day later, united, to strike the prosperous kingdom of the Matsya king.