Shloka 34
त्रिगर्त-मात्स्य-संग्रामः
The Trigarta–Matsya Engagement at Twilight
षशिश्राश्वसहस्राणि मत्स्यानामभिनिर्ययु: । तदनीकं विराटस्य शुशुभे भरतर्षभ
ṣaṣisrāśva-sahasrāṇi matsyānām abhiniryayuḥ | tad anīkaṃ virāṭasya śuśubhe bharatarṣabha ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच— षष्टिसहस्राश्वा मत्स्याः समभिनिर्ययुः । भरतर्षभ! तदनीकं विराटस्य शुशुभे सुसमाहितम् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores rājadharma in practice: a king’s duty includes maintaining readiness to protect the realm. The ‘splendor’ of the army is not mere display; it signals organized capacity for defense and the weight of responsibility that accompanies power.
Vaiśampāyana describes the Matsya forces marching out in great numbers, emphasizing the scale of cavalry and the impressive appearance of Virāṭa’s assembled host as it prepares for conflict.