Shloka 27
Virāṭa’s Mobilization to Recover the Cattle (गोधनरक्षणार्थ विराटस्य सैन्यसमायोजनम्)
अपरे दिवसे सर्वे राजन् सम्भूय कौरवा: । अष्टम्यां ते न्यगृह्लन्त गोकुलानि सहस्रश:,राजन! फिर दूसरे दिन अष्टमीको दूसरी ओरसे सब कौरवोंने मिलकर धावा किया और गौओंके सहस्रों झुंडोपर अधिकार जमा लिया
apare divase sarve rājan sambhūya kauravāḥ | aṣṭamyāṃ te nyagṛhṇanta gokulāni sahasraśaḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「その翌日、王よ、クル族（カウラヴァ）一同は集結し、月の第八日（アシュタミー）に牧人たちの集落を制圧して、牛の群れを幾千ともなく奪い取った。」
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective aggression and unlawful seizure of others’ livelihood (cattle and cowherd settlements) becomes a moral fault that fuels wider conflict. It implicitly contrasts kṣatriya power with the dharmic duty to protect subjects and their property rather than exploit them.
On the next day, the Kauravas gather as a group and launch a raid on Aṣṭamī, taking possession of the cattle-stations and capturing cattle in great numbers—an act that intensifies the confrontation in the Virāṭa episode.