Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 25
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
सुशर्मा चिन्तयामास कालान्तकयमोपमम् । तिष्ठ तिषछ्ेति भाषन्तं पृष्ठतो रथपुज्भव: । पश्यतां सुमहत् कर्म महद् युद्धमुपस्थितम्
Suśarmā cintayāmāsa kālāntaka-yamopamam | tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bhāṣantaṁ pṛṣṭhato ratha-puṅgavam | paśyatāṁ sumahat karma mahad yuddham upasthitam ||
ରଥୀମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ସୁଶର୍ମା, ପଛଦିଗରୁ ଆସୁଥିବା ଏବଂ “ଠିଆ ରୁହ, ଠିଆ ରୁହ” ବୋଲି କହୁଥିବା—କାଳ, ଅନ୍ତକ ଓ ଯମ ସମ ଭୟଙ୍କର ସେ ରଥପୁଙ୍ଗବଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ଚିନ୍ତାଗ୍ରସ୍ତ ହେଲା। ପରେ ସେ ସହଚରମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା—“ଦେଖ, ପୁଣି ଏକ ମହାଯୁଦ୍ଧ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ; ଏଥିରେ ମହା ପରାକ୍ରମ ଦେଖାଅ।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of meeting danger with steadiness: even when confronted by a warrior likened to Time and Death, one is urged to act with courage and display valor rather than collapse into fear.
Suśarmā notices a formidable chariot-warrior approaching from behind and challenging him to stop and fight. Alarmed, he turns to his allies and announces that a major battle has arisen again, exhorting them to show great prowess.