Shloka 10
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
तस्मिन् गृहीते विरथे विराटे बलवत्तरे । प्राद्रवन्त भयान्मत्स्यास्त्रिगर्तैरदिता भूशम्,अतिशय बलवान राजा विराट जब रथहीन होकर पकड़ लिये गये, तब त्रिगर्तोद्वारा अत्यन्त पीड़ित हुए मत्स्यदेशीय सैनिक भयभीत होकर भागने लगे
tasmin gṛhīte virathe virāṭe balavattare | prādravanta bhayān matsyās trigartair aditā bhūśam ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Cuando el poderoso rey Virāṭa fue apresado tras quedar sin carro, los guerreros matsyas —duramente hostigados por los Trigartas— se llenaron de miedo y comenzaron a huir. La escena muestra cuán pronto se derrumba la moral de un ejército cuando su caudillo es dominado y el orden cede ante el caos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical importance of steadfast leadership in war: when the leader is overpowered and order breaks, fear spreads rapidly and collective resolve collapses. It implicitly urges kṣatriya steadiness and disciplined courage rather than panic-driven flight.
In the battle against the Trigartas, King Virāṭa is caught after becoming chariotless. Seeing him seized and being heavily pressed by the enemy, the Matsya troops lose heart and run away in fear.