Shloka 9
इन्द्रप्रशंसा, दिव्योपकरणदानं, गन्धमादनसमागमश्च
Indra’s Commendation, Bestowal of Divine Insignia, and the Gandhamādana Reunion
शतं शतास्ते हरयस्तस्मिन् युक्ता महारथे । शान्ता मातलिना यत्ता व्यचरन्नल्पका इव,अर्जुनके उस विशाल रथमें दस हजार घोड़े जुते हुए थे, तो भी मातलिने उन्हें इस प्रकार वशमें कर रखा था कि वे अल्पसंख्यक अश्वोंकी भाँति शान्तभावसे विचरते थे
śataṃ śatāste harayastasmin yukta mahārathe | śāntā mātalinā yattā vyacarannalpakā iva ||
كانت مئاتٌ بعد مئاتٍ من الخيول الشهباء مُقترنةً بذلك المركب العظيم؛ ومع ذلك، إذ كبحها ماتَلي وساسها، مضت هادئةً كأنها لا تعدو أن تكون قِلّةً يسيرة.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Great power is not praiseworthy by size alone; it becomes beneficial when governed by restraint and expertise. Mātali’s control over innumerable horses illustrates the ethical ideal of mastery—strength guided by discipline rather than impulse.
Arjuna describes a wondrous chariot to which vast numbers of horses are harnessed. Despite their multitude, Mātali, the charioteer, keeps them so well-controlled that they move quietly and smoothly, as if only a few horses were present.