Shloka 16
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
विराटस्य सुतो ज्येष्ठो वीर: शड्खो<5भ्यहारयत् । सेनापति सूर्यदत्त (शतानीक)-ने पृष्ठभागमें सुवर्णजटित एवं सूर्यके समान चमकीला कवच पहन रखा था। विराटके ज्येष्ठ पुत्र वीरवर शंखने श्वेत रंगका एक सुदृढ़ कवच धारण किया, जिसके भीतरी भागमें लोहा लगा था और ऊपर नेत्रके समान सौ चिह्न बने हुए थे ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | virāṭasya suto jyeṣṭho vīraḥ śaṅkho ’bhyahārayat | senāpatiḥ sūryadattaḥ (śatānīkaḥ) pṛṣṭhabhāge suvarṇajaṭitaṃ sūryasamaprabhaṃ kavacaṃ bibharti sma | virāṭasya jyeṣṭhaḥ putro vīravaraḥ śaṅkhaḥ śvetavarṇaṃ dṛḍhaṃ kavacaṃ dhārayām āsa, yasya antarbhāge lohaṃ niviṣṭaṃ, upari ca netrasadṛśāni śatamudrācihnāni babhūvuḥ ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Putra sulung Virāṭa, sang pahlawan Śaṅkha, maju dengan perlengkapan perang. Sang panglima, Sūryadatta (juga disebut Śatānīka), mengenakan zirah berlapis emas yang berkilau laksana matahari; sedangkan Śaṅkha, putra utama Virāṭa, mengenakan baju zirah putih yang kukuh, berlapis besi di dalam, dan bertanda seratus lambang menyerupai mata di bagian atas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: disciplined readiness for conflict and the leader’s duty to protect and inspire the army. Armour and insignia symbolize responsibility and preparedness rather than mere ornament.
As the forces assemble, Virāṭa’s eldest son Śaṅkha steps forward wearing a strong white, iron-lined armour with a hundred eye-like marks, while the commander Sūryadatta/Śatānīka is described wearing a gold-inlaid, sun-bright cuirass—setting the scene of martial mobilization.