Shloka 26
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
परावृत्तो धनुर्गह्य सुशर्मा भ्रातृभि: सह । निमेषान्तरमात्रेण भीमसेनेन ते रथा:,ऐसा कहकर सुशर्मा भाइयोंसहित धनुष उठाये लौट पड़ा। इधर महात्मा भीमसेनने निमेषमात्रमें ही गदा लेकर शत्रुओंके भयंकर धनुष धारण करनेवाले रथी, हाथीसवार और घुड़सवार वीरोंके एक लाख सैनिकोंके समूहोंको राजा विराटके समीप मार गिराया और बहुत-से पैदल सिपाहियोंका भी संहार कर डाला
vaiśampāyana uvāca | parāvṛtto dhanur gṛhya suśarmā bhrātṛbhiḥ saha | nimeṣāntaramātreṇa bhīmasenena te rathāḥ |
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Tendo dito isso, Suśarmā voltou-se, tomou o arco e, com seus irmãos, lançou-se novamente à refrega. Mas, no espaço de um piscar de olhos, Bhīmasena empunhou a maça e abateu os inimigos perto do rei Virāṭa, quebrando de pronto o ímpeto dos atacantes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and protection: Suśarmā renews his attack with resolve, while Bhīma’s rapid intervention safeguards Virāṭa’s side. Ethically, it also points to the sobering reality that in war decisive action can instantly turn into large-scale destruction, demanding discernment about when force is justified.
Suśarmā, having withdrawn or turned aside, comes back into combat with his brothers, bow in hand. At the same time, Bhīmasena acts with extraordinary speed, crushing the enemy’s chariot forces (and surrounding ranks), thereby checking the assault near King Virāṭa.