Shloka 28
Virāṭa Rescued from Suśarmā; Night Battle and Royal Gratitude (विराटमोक्षणं सुशर्मवधाभिमुखं च)
ततो राजा सुशर्माणं विव्याध दशभि: शरै: | पजञ्चभि: पज्चभिश्षास्य विव्याध चतुरो हयान्,इसी समय राजा विराटने सुशर्माको दस बाणोंसे बींध डाला और पाँच-पाँच बाणोंसे उसके चारों घोड़ोंको भी घायल कर दिया
tato rājā suśarmāṇaṃ vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ | pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiś cāsya vivyādha caturo hayān |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Lalu Raja Virāṭa menikam Suśarmā dengan sepuluh anak panah; dan dengan lima anak panah bagi setiap satu, baginda juga memanah serta mencederakan keempat-empat kuda Suśarmā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in action: a king must respond decisively to aggression, defending his people and sovereignty with courage and disciplined force.
In the battle, King Virāṭa shoots Suśarmā with ten arrows and then targets Suśarmā’s mobility by striking each of his four horses with five arrows, weakening his opponent’s chariot-force.