Shloka 24

Virāṭa Rescued from Suśarmā; Night Battle and Royal Gratitude (विराटमोक्षणं सुशर्मवधाभिमुखं च)

Devanagari script

तौ व्यवाहरतां तत्र महात्मानौ महाबलौ | अन्योन्यमभिगर्जन्तौ गोष्ेषु वृष भाविव,वे दोनों महान्‌ बलवान्‌ और महामनस्वी वीर गर्जते हुए एक-दूसरेसे इस प्रकार जा भिड़े, मानो गोशालामें दो साँड़ लड़ रहे हों

Transliteration

tau vyavāharatāṁ tatra mahātmānau mahābalau | anyonyam abhigarjantau goṣṭheṣu vṛṣabhāv iva ||

Translation

ไวศัมปายนะกล่าวว่า— ณ ที่นั้น วีรบุรุษผู้ยิ่งใหญ่และทรงพลังทั้งสองเข้าประจัญกัน พลางคำรามใส่กัน—ดุจโคถึกสองตัวต่อสู้กันในคอกโค

Word by Word

तौthose two

व्यवाहरताम्were engaged (in combat/contest), fought

तत्रthere

महात्मानौgreat-souled (two)

महाबलौvery strong (two)

अन्योन्यम्each other (mutually)

अभिगर्जन्तौroaring at (each other)

गोष्ठेषुin cow-stalls/cattle-pens

वृषौtwo bulls

इवas if/like

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

two unnamed warriors (tau)

goṣṭha (cattle-yard)

vṛṣabha (bulls)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how unchecked martial pride and competitive fury can reduce even ‘great-souled’ heroes to a contest of brute dominance. The ethical undertone is a reminder that strength and nobility are tested not only by power, but by restraint and purpose in conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Two powerful warriors confront each other directly, shouting and roaring as they fight. The narrator compares their clash to two bulls battling in a cattle-yard, emphasizing intensity, noise, and physical force.