Shloka 24
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
नेमे जातु न युध्येरन्निति मे धीयते मति: । एतच्छुत्वा तु नृपतेर्वाक्यं त्वरितमानस: । शतानीकस्तु पार्थेभ्यो रथान् राजन् समादिशत्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | neme jātu na yudhyeyur iti me dhīyate matiḥ | etac chrutvā tu nṛpater vākyaṃ tvarita-mānasaḥ | śatānīkas tu pārthebhyo rathān rājan samādiśat |
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Tidak mungkin orang-orang ini akan pernah menahan diri dari bertempur—demikian keyakinanku yang teguh; mereka pasti mahir dalam perang.” Mendengar ucapan raja itu, Śatānīka dengan hati yang tergesa memerintahkan, wahai Raja, agar kereta-kereta perang segera dibawa untuk putra-putra Pṛthā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the expectation of kṣatriya conduct: true warriors are not imagined to abstain from battle when duty calls. It also highlights prudent recognition of capability—judging from conduct and circumstance that the Pāṇḍavas are battle-trained—and acting decisively in response.
The narrator reports a conclusion that these men (the Pāṇḍavas in disguise) must be fighters. After the king’s remark is heard, Śatānīka, moved by urgency, commands that chariots be quickly arranged for the Pāṇḍavas, preparing them for imminent conflict.