Shloka 16
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
विराटस्य सुतो ज्येष्ठो वीर: शड्खो<5भ्यहारयत् । सेनापति सूर्यदत्त (शतानीक)-ने पृष्ठभागमें सुवर्णजटित एवं सूर्यके समान चमकीला कवच पहन रखा था। विराटके ज्येष्ठ पुत्र वीरवर शंखने श्वेत रंगका एक सुदृढ़ कवच धारण किया, जिसके भीतरी भागमें लोहा लगा था और ऊपर नेत्रके समान सौ चिह्न बने हुए थे ।। शतशकश्च तनुत्राणि यथास्वं ते महारथा:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | virāṭasya suto jyeṣṭho vīraḥ śaṅkho ’bhyahārayat | senāpatiḥ sūryadattaḥ (śatānīkaḥ) pṛṣṭhabhāge suvarṇajaṭitaṃ sūryasamaprabhaṃ kavacaṃ bibharti sma | virāṭasya jyeṣṭhaḥ putro vīravaraḥ śaṅkhaḥ śvetavarṇaṃ dṛḍhaṃ kavacaṃ dhārayām āsa, yasya antarbhāge lohaṃ niviṣṭaṃ, upari ca netrasadṛśāni śatamudrācihnāni babhūvuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Putera sulung Virāṭa, wira Śaṅkha, melangkah ke hadapan, lengkap bersiap untuk pertempuran. Panglima—Sūryadatta (juga disebut Śatānīka)—memakai zirah berbelakang emas, terang laksana matahari. Dan Śaṅkha, putera utama Virāṭa, menyarungkan perisai putih yang kukuh, berlapis besi di bahagian dalam, serta bertanda seratus lambang seakan-akan mata di bahagian atasnya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: disciplined readiness for conflict and the leader’s duty to protect and inspire the army. Armour and insignia symbolize responsibility and preparedness rather than mere ornament.
As the forces assemble, Virāṭa’s eldest son Śaṅkha steps forward wearing a strong white, iron-lined armour with a hundred eye-like marks, while the commander Sūryadatta/Śatānīka is described wearing a gold-inlaid, sun-bright cuirass—setting the scene of martial mobilization.