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 ||
毗湿摩说道：听到他战车如雷的轰鸣，毗多诃毗耶（Vaitahavya）诸王子——如狮般的勇士，善用奇异战法——披甲整肃，乘坐巨大如城的战车，足以撞碎敌车，从城中驰出。他们举弓逼近普罗多罗陀那（Pratardana），以箭雨倾泻而下。
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.