Shloka 29
Virāṭa Rescued from Suśarmā; Night Battle and Royal Gratitude (विराटमोक्षणं सुशर्मवधाभिमुखं च)
तथैव मत्स्यराजानं सुशर्मा युद्धदुर्मद: । पज्चाशता शितैर्बाणैविव्याध परमास्त्रवित्,इसी प्रकार महान् अस्त्रवेत्ता सुशर्माने भी रणोन्मत्त होकर पचास तीखे बाणोंसे मत्स्यराज विराटको बींध डाला
tathaiva matsyarājānaṃ suśarmā yuddhadurmadaḥ | pañcāśatā śitair bāṇair vivyādha paramāstravit ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Demikian juga Suśarmā—yang mabuk oleh kegilaan medan perang dan mahir dalam senjata-senjata tertinggi—telah menikam Raja Virāṭa, raja Matsya, dengan lima puluh anak panah yang tajam.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how mastery of weapons and battlefield skill, when fueled by yuddha-durmada (war-intoxication and arrogance), intensifies harm. It implicitly cautions that power without restraint and dharmic self-control becomes destructive.
During the conflict involving the Matsya forces, Suśarmā, a formidable warrior, attacks King Virāṭa and wounds him by shooting fifty sharp arrows, showing the ferocity and momentum of the battle.