Shloka 353
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
हत्वा तां महतीं सेनां त्रिगर्तानां महारथ: । तदनन्तर महारथी सहदेव त्रिगर्तोंकी उस महासेनाका संहार करके अत्यन्त उग्र रूप धारण किये हाथमें धनुष ले सुशर्मापर चढ़ आये
hatvā tāṁ mahatīṁ senāṁ trigartānāṁ mahārathaḥ | tadanantaraṁ mahārathī sahadevaḥ suśarmāṇam abhyāruroha dhanuḥ-pāṇiḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Tras haber dado muerte al gran ejército de los Trigartas, el poderoso guerrero de carro Sahadeva—adoptando un aspecto feroz y temible—tomó el arco en su mano y avanzó entonces contra el rey Suśarmā. El pasaje resalta el ímpetu de la resistencia justa en la batalla: después de quebrar a la hueste enemiga, el guerrero se dirige al caudillo contrario para poner fin a más daño y desorden.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: after neutralizing a threatening force, a warrior may rightly confront the enemy leader to prevent further violence and restore order, acting with resolve rather than cruelty.
After Sahadeva has routed and destroyed the Trigarta host, he takes up his bow, assumes a fierce battle-form, and charges toward their king Suśarmā, escalating the conflict from defeating the army to confronting its commander.