Shloka 6
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
पुन: प्रविश्य नगरं दंशित: स नृपोत्तम:। आरुह्दु नागप्रवरं निर्ययौ रणकर्कश:,गाण्डीव धनुषसे छूटे हुए बाणोंके प्रहारसे व्याकुल हो वीर राजा वज्रदत्तने उस घोड़ेको तो छोड़ दिया और स्वयं पुनः नगरमें प्रवेश करके कवच आदिसे सुसज्जित हो एक श्रेष्ठ गजराजपर चढ़कर वह रणकर्कश नरेश युद्धके लिये बाहर निकला। आते ही उसने पार्थपर धावा बोल दिया
punaḥ praviśya nagaraṃ daṃśitaḥ sa nṛpottamaḥ | ārūhya tu nāgapravaraṃ niryayau raṇakarkaśaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having re-entered the city, that foremost of kings, fully armed, mounted a splendid elephant and—fierce in battle—rode out again for war. Shaken by the blows of arrows loosed from the Gāṇḍīva, the heroic king Vajradatta had let the horse go; now, returning equipped with armor, he came forth and at once charged at Pārtha (Arjuna).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as steadfastness under pressure: even after being shaken by Arjuna’s arrows and losing the immediate objective (the horse), the king regroups, arms himself properly, and returns to face the opponent—showing resolve, preparedness, and the warrior’s commitment to duty in conflict.
Vajradatta, distressed by the arrows shot from Arjuna’s Gāṇḍīva, releases the horse and retreats into the city. He then re-emerges fully armored, mounted on a great elephant, and immediately attacks Arjuna (Pārtha).