Shloka 33
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
विशारदानां मुख्यानां हृष्टानां चारुजीविनाम् । अष्टौ रथसहस्राणि दश नागशतानि च
vaiśampāyana uvāca | viśāradānāṁ mukhyānāṁ hṛṣṭānāṁ cārujīvinām | aṣṭau rathasahasrāṇi daśa nāgaśatāni ca |
Waiśampāyana berkata: Di antara para kesatria utama negeri Matsya—mahir dalam seni perang, berhati gembira, dan hidup dalam kemakmuran yang terhormat—terdapat delapan ribu kereta perang dan sepuluh ratus gajah. Maka, wahai banteng di antara kaum Bharata, bala besar Virāṭa yang lengkap perlengkapannya dan siap bertempur tampak amat cemerlang karena mereka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ideal of a well-ordered kṣatriya polity: capable leaders, disciplined forces, and material readiness for defense. Prosperity and morale (cārujīvin, hṛṣṭa) are presented as supports for effective protection of the realm.
Vaiśampāyana describes the composition and splendor of King Virāṭa’s Matsya forces—enumerating chariots and elephants—to convey the scale and preparedness of the army as it sets out for battle.