Shloka 12
Virāṭa’s Mobilization to Recover the Cattle (गोधनरक्षणार्थ विराटस्य सैन्यसमायोजनम्)
संविभागेन कृत्वा तु निबध्नीमो5स्य पौरुषम् । हत्वा चास्य चमूं कृत्स्नां वशमेवानयामहे,“और हम आपसमें विभाजन करके उन्हें अपने यहाँ बाँध लेंगे। साथ ही मत्स्यराजके सामर्थ्यको नष्ट करके उसकी सारी सेनाको अपने अधीन कर लेंगे
saṃvibhāgena kṛtvā tu nibadhnīmo 'sya pauruṣam | hatvā cāsya camūṃ kṛtsnāṃ vaśam evānayāmahe ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Setelah kita membahagi-bahagikan bala tentera sesama kita, kita akan mengikat dan melumpuhkan keperwiraannya. Dan setelah membunuh seluruh angkatan tenteranya, kita akan menundukkannya sepenuhnya di bawah kuasa kita.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a political-military mindset that seeks control by first disabling a ruler’s capacity to resist (pauruṣa) and then subjugating him through force. Ethically, it invites reflection on how ambition and conquest can conflict with dharma when domination becomes the primary aim.
A plan is being articulated to divide forces, restrain the Matsya king’s strength, destroy his army, and bring him under complete control—indicating an impending or ongoing hostile campaign against Matsya.