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,'ये युद्ध न करते हों, यह कदापि सम्भव नहीं अर्थात् ये अवश्य युद्धकुशल हैं। मेरी बुद्धिका तो ऐसा ही निश्चय है।' जनमेजय! राजाका यह वचन सुनकर शतानीकने उतावले मनसे कुन्तीपुत्रोंके लिये शीघ्रतापूर्वक रथ लानेका आदेश दिया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | neme jātu na yudhyeyur iti me dhīyate matiḥ | etac chrutvā tu nṛpater vākyaṃ tvarita-mānasaḥ | śatānīkas tu pārthebhyo rathān rājan samādiśat |
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「この者たちが戦いを避けるなど決してあり得ぬ――それが我が確信である。必ずや戦に熟達している。」王の言葉を聞くや、シャターニーカは心を急がせ、ただちにプリターの子ら（パーンダヴァ）に戦車を用意せよと命じた、王よ。
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.