Shloka 19
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
वैशम्पायन उवाच तस्य तद् वचन श्रुत्वा मातलिः शक्रसारथि: । आरुरोह रथं शीघ्र हयान् येमे च रश्मिभि:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! अर्जुनका यह वचन सुनकर इन्द्रसारथि मातलि शीघ्र ही रथपर जा बैठा और बागडोर खींचकर घोड़ोंको काबूमें किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā mātaliḥ śakra-sārathiḥ | ārurōha rathaṃ śīghraṃ hayān yeme ca raśmibhiḥ |
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Als er jene Worte hörte, bestieg Mātali — der Wagenlenker Śakras (Indras) — sogleich den Wagen und brachte, die Zügel anziehend, die Pferde unter Kontrolle.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined duty: a trusted attendant responds promptly and with self-control, showing that effective action in a righteous cause requires readiness, restraint, and obedience to proper instruction.
After hearing Arjuna’s words (implied by context), Mātali, Indra’s charioteer, swiftly climbs onto the chariot and tightens the reins to steady and control the horses, preparing for immediate departure or action.