Shloka 22
Virāṭa’s Mobilization to Recover the Cattle (गोधनरक्षणार्थ विराटस्य सैन्यसमायोजनम्)
प्रागेव हि सुसंवीतो मत्स्यस्य विषयं प्रति । जघन्यतो वयं तत्र यास्यामो दिवसान्तरे । विषयं मत्स्यराजस्य सुसमृद्धं सुसंहता:,“सब साधनोंसे सम्पन्न हो सुशर्मा पहले मत्स्यदेशपर आक्रमण करें। फिर पीछेसे एक दिन बाद हमलोग भी पूर्णतः संगठित हो मत्स्यनरेशके समृद्धिशाली राज्यपर धावा बोल देंगे
prāg eva hi susaṃvīto matsyasya viṣayaṃ prati | jaghanyato vayaṃ tatra yāsyāmo divasāntare | viṣayaṃ matsyarājasya susamṛddhaṃ susaṃhatāḥ |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Biarlah Suśarmā, lengkap dengan segala kelengkapan, mara terlebih dahulu ke negeri Matsya. Kemudian, dari belakang, kami akan menyusul sehari kemudian; bersatu padu sepenuhnya, kami akan menyerbu dan merampas kerajaan Raja Matsya yang makmur.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ambiguity of warfare conducted through coordinated raids and deception: success is sought through preparation, timing, and unity, showing how political aims can override straightforward dharmic conduct in conflict.
A plan is being described in which Suśarmā is to attack the Matsya territory first, while the others will follow from behind a day later, united, to strike the prosperous kingdom of the Matsya king.