Shloka 20
जैसे मदकी धारा बहानेवाले दो विशाल गजयूथपतियोंमें लड़ाई होती है, उसी प्रकार सेनासहित उन दोनों वृद्ध नरेशोंमें बड़ा भयंकर युद्ध होने लगा ।। विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ विराट मत्स्यमार्च्छताम् । सहसैन्यौ सहानीकं यथेन्द्राग्नी पुरा बलिम्
vindānuvindāv āvantyau virāṭa-matsya-mārcchatām | sahasainyau sahānīkaṁ yathendrāgnī purā balim ||
Sañjaya said: Vindā and Anuvindā of Avanti charged against Virāṭa, the king of the Matsyas. With their troops and battle-formations they fell upon him, just as Indra and Agni in former times assailed Bali. Thus, amid the armies, a fierce clash arose—an image of war’s overwhelming force, where valor and duty drive kings into perilous combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ethos of confronting conflict directly: warriors and kings, bound by duty and honor, engage in battle with full force. The comparison to gods attacking Bali frames the encounter as momentous and relentless, highlighting how power and obligation can intensify violence.
Vindā and Anuvindā, princes of Avanti, rush with their troops and formations against Virāṭa, king of the Matsyas. Their assault is likened to Indra and Agni’s ancient attack on Bali, emphasizing the ferocity and scale of the clash.