Shloka 21
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
कड्कबल्लवगोपाला दामग्रन्थिश्न वीर्यवान् युद्धयेयुरिति मे बुद्धिर्वर्तते नात्र संशय:,'भैया! मेरे विचारमें यह बात आती है कि ये कंक, बल्लव, तन्तिपाल और ग्रन्थिक भी युद्ध कर सकते हैं, इसमें संशय नहीं है
kaṅka-ballava-gopālā dāma-granthiś ca vīryavān | yuddhāya yeyer iti me buddhir vartate nātra saṁśayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Fikiranku teguh bahawa orang-orang ini—Kaṅka, Ballava, si penggembala lembu, dan yang mahir mengikat simpul—mampu bertempur. Tiada keraguan tentang hal itu.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and confidence in latent capability: even those appearing as ordinary attendants (through disguise or social role) may possess true martial strength; one should judge by inner prowess and conduct rather than outward labels.
In the Virāṭa episode, the narrator reports a character’s firm assessment that the disguised figures—Kaṅka and Ballava along with others identified by their roles—are fully able to take up battle, implying their concealed warrior nature and readiness for conflict.