Virāṭa’s Mobilization to Recover the Cattle (गोधनरक्षणार्थ विराटस्य सैन्यसमायोजनम्)
तस्मिन् विनिहते राजा हतदर्पो निराश्रय: । भविष्यति निरुत्साहो विराट इति मे मति:,“उसके मारे जानेसे राजा विराटका घमण्ड चूर-चूर हो गया होगा। अब वे निराधार एवं निरुत्साह हो गये होंगे, ऐसा मेरा विश्वास है
tasmin vinihate rājā hatadarpo nirāśrayaḥ | bhaviṣyati nirutsāho virāṭa iti me matiḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच— तस्मिन् विनिहते राजा विराटो हतदर्पो निराश्रयः भविष्यति। निरुत्साहश्च भविष्यतीति मे मतिः।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how pride and morale in leadership depend on perceived strength and support; when that support collapses, arrogance gives way to vulnerability, and a ruler may lose resolve—an ethical reminder about humility and the fragility of power.
Vaiśampāyana comments that after a certain person has been killed, King Virāṭa will likely be left without backing, his pride broken, and his spirit diminished—setting a tone of political and emotional consequence in the unfolding events.