Shloka 8
Virāṭa Rescued from Suśarmā; Night Battle and Royal Gratitude (विराटमोक्षणं सुशर्मवधाभिमुखं च)
खटद्योतैरिव संयुक्तमन्तरिक्ष॑ं व्यराजत । रुक्मपृष्ठानि चापानि व्यतिषिक्तानि धन्विनाम्,बाणोंके कारण अन्तरिक्ष मानो जुगनुओंसे भर गया हो, इस प्रकार चकमक हो रहा था। दाँयें-बाँयें बाण मारनेवाले वे विश्वविख्यात धनुर्धर वीर जब घायल होकर गिरते थे, उस समय उनके सुवर्णकी पीठवाले धनुष दूसरोंके हाथमें चले जाते थे। रथी रथियोंसे और पैदल पैदलोंसे भिड़े हुए थे
khaṭadyotair iva saṁyuktam antarikṣaṁ vyarājata | rukmapṛṣṭhāni cāpāni vyatiṣiktāni dhanvinām ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: El cielo resplandecía como si estuviera colmado de luciérnagas, tan densamente cruzaban los proyectiles fulgurantes. Los arcos de los arqueros—de dorso dorado y célebres—pasaban sin cesar de mano en mano cuando los guerreros, abatidos en la lucha, caían; los aurigas chocaban con aurigas y los infantes con infantes, en un apretado fragor de guerra, feroz y a la vez ordenado.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the impersonal momentum of battle: weapons and glory circulate even as individuals fall. It evokes the kṣatriya context where courage and duty operate amid inevitable loss, reminding the listener that fame and arms are transient compared to the moral weight of action.
A battle is underway. The air is crowded with shining missiles, making the sky glitter like it is full of fireflies. As wounded warriors fall, their gold-backed bows are taken up by others, while chariot-fighters engage chariot-fighters and infantry engage infantry.