Shloka 39
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
पिताकी आज्ञा पाकर वह शत्रुनगरीपर विजय पानेवाला पराक्रमी वीर शीघ्र ही रथसहित गंगापार करके वीतहतव्यपुत्रोंकी राजधानीकी ओर चल दिया ।। वैतहव्यास्तु संश्रुत्य रथघोष॑ समुद्धतम् । निर्ययुर्नगराकारै रथै: पररथारुजै:,उसके रथकी घोर घरघराहट सुनकर विचित्र ढंगसे युद्ध करनेवाले पुरुषसिंह हैहयराजकुमार कवचसे सुसज्जित होकर शत्रुओंके रथको तोड़ डालनेवाले नगराकार विशाल रथोंपर बैठे हुए पुरीसे बाहर निकले और धनुष उठाये बाणोंकी वर्षा करते हुए प्रतर्दनपर चढ़ आये
vaitahavyās tu saṃśrutya rathaghoṣaṃ samuddhatam | niryayur nagarākārair rathaiḥ pararathārujaiḥ ||
Disse Bhishma: Ao ouvirem o estrondo trovejante de seu carro, os príncipes Vaitahavya—guerreiros leoninos, versados em modos incomuns de combate—saíram da cidade em carros imensos, como cidades sobre rodas, armados com couraças e capazes de despedaçar carros inimigos. Erguendo os arcos, avançaram contra Pratardana e o cobriram com uma chuva de flechas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how swiftly martial duty and royal purpose can turn into open battle: once a warrior advances with resolve, equally duty-bound opponents respond. It frames war as a domain where valor, preparedness, and the obligations of kshatriyas drive immediate confrontation.
As Pratardana approaches, the Vaitahavya princes hear the loud roar of his chariot and ride out from their city in enormous, fortress-like chariots designed to smash enemy vehicles. They raise their bows and attack him with a rain of arrows.