Shloka 8
Virāṭa Rescued from Suśarmā; Night Battle and Royal Gratitude (विराटमोक्षणं सुशर्मवधाभिमुखं च)
खटद्योतैरिव संयुक्तमन्तरिक्ष॑ं व्यराजत । रुक्मपृष्ठानि चापानि व्यतिषिक्तानि धन्विनाम्,बाणोंके कारण अन्तरिक्ष मानो जुगनुओंसे भर गया हो, इस प्रकार चकमक हो रहा था। दाँयें-बाँयें बाण मारनेवाले वे विश्वविख्यात धनुर्धर वीर जब घायल होकर गिरते थे, उस समय उनके सुवर्णकी पीठवाले धनुष दूसरोंके हाथमें चले जाते थे। रथी रथियोंसे और पैदल पैदलोंसे भिड़े हुए थे
khaṭadyotair iva saṁyuktam antarikṣaṁ vyarājata | rukmapṛṣṭhāni cāpāni vyatiṣiktāni dhanvinām ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Langit tampak bersinar seolah-olah dipenuhi kunang-kunang, demikian rapatnya anak panah yang berkilau melintas. Busur para pemanah—berbelakang emas dan termasyhur—terus berpindah dari tangan ke tangan apabila para pahlawan yang terkena serangan rebah di medan laga; para pahlawan berkereta bertembung dengan pahlawan berkereta, dan askar berjalan bertarung dengan askar berjalan, dalam himpitan perang yang garang namun tersusun.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the impersonal momentum of battle: weapons and glory circulate even as individuals fall. It evokes the kṣatriya context where courage and duty operate amid inevitable loss, reminding the listener that fame and arms are transient compared to the moral weight of action.
A battle is underway. The air is crowded with shining missiles, making the sky glitter like it is full of fireflies. As wounded warriors fall, their gold-backed bows are taken up by others, while chariot-fighters engage chariot-fighters and infantry engage infantry.