Shloka 2
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 54 — Missile-Exchange and Tactical Redirection
Arjuna, Aśvatthāman, Karṇa
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! धनुषधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने शत्रुसेनाको बड़े वेगसे दबाकर उन गौओंको जीत लिया और वे युद्धकी इच्छासे फिर दुर्योधनकी ओर चले ।।
goṣu prayātāsu javena matsyān kirīṭinaṃ kṛtakāryaṃ ca matvā | duryodhanāyābhimukhaṃ prayātaṃ kurupravīrāḥ sahasā nipetuḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: O Janamejaya! Si Arjuna, ang pinakadakila sa mga mamamana, ay mabilis na dumurog sa hukbo ng kaaway at nabawi ang mga baka; at sa pagnanais na makipagdigma, muli siyang tumungo kay Duryodhana. Nang ang kawan ay naitaboy na nang buong bilis patungo sa kabisera ng kaharian ng Matsya, at nang maunawaan nilang natapos na ng koronadong Arjuna ang kanyang layon at sumusulong upang harapin si Duryodhana, ang mga pangunahing mandirigmang Kuru ay biglang dumating at sumalakay sa pook—sabik sa labanan at hangad siyang salubungin nang harapan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how success in a mission and the movement of valuable resources (the cattle) immediately reshapes battlefield decisions: warriors, bound by kṣatriya duty and rivalry, rush to confront the capable opponent. It implicitly underscores the ethical tension between rightful protection and aggressive retaliation in war.
After Arjuna has overpowered the enemy force and secured the cattle, the herd is already being driven swiftly toward the Matsya realm. Realizing Arjuna has completed his objective and is now moving to face Duryodhana, the leading Kuru fighters suddenly arrive and launch themselves into the confrontation.