Shloka 20
Arjuna Confronted by Saindhava Forces during the Aśvamedha Circuit (श्वेतवाहनस्य सैन्धवसंघर्षः)
तस्मिन् निपतिते नागे वज्रदत्तस्य पाण्डव: । तं॑ न भेतव्यमित्याह ततो भूमिगतं नृपम्
tasmin nipatite nāge vajradattasya pāṇḍavaḥ | taṁ na bhetavyam ity āha tato bhūmigataṁ nṛpam ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Als Vajradattas Elefant gefallen war, wurde auch König Vajradatta selbst zu Boden geschleudert. Da sprach Arjuna, der Sohn Pāṇḍus, zu ihm: „O König, du sollst dich nicht fürchten.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid battle, dharma requires courage without panic and restraint toward a fallen foe; Arjuna’s reassurance models a warrior’s composure and humane conduct.
Vajradatta’s elephant collapses, and Vajradatta falls to the ground; Arjuna immediately speaks to him, telling him not to be afraid.