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 ।।
vaitahavyās tu saṃśrutya rathaghoṣaṃ samuddhatam | niryayur nagarākārair rathaiḥ pararathārujaiḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Nang marinig nila ang kulog na ugong ng kanyang karwahe, ang mga prinsipe ng Vaitahavya—mga mandirigmang tila leon, bihasa sa di-karaniwang paraan ng pakikipaglaban—ay lumabas mula sa lungsod na nakasakay sa malalaking karwaheng wari’y mga muog, nakabaluti at kayang dumurog ng karwahe ng kaaway. Itinaas nila ang mga busog at sumalakay kay Pratardana, binuhusan siya ng ulang-palaso.
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.