Shloka 8
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
ततः पार्थ समासाद्य पाण्डवानां महारथम् | आह्वयामास बीभत्सुं बाल्यान्मोहाच्च संयुगे,उसने मस्तकपर श्वेत छत्र धारण कर रखा था। सेवक श्वेत चवँर खुला रहे थे। पाण्डव महारथी पार्थके पास पहुँचकर उस महारथी नरेशने बालचापल्य और मूर्खताके कारण उन्हें युद्धके लिये ललकारा
tataḥ pārtha samāsādya pāṇḍavānāṃ mahāratham | āhvayāmāsa bībhatsuṃ bālyān mohācca saṃyuge ||
Then, approaching Pārtha—the great chariot-warrior among the Pāṇḍavas—that king challenged Bībhatsu (Arjuna) to battle, driven by childish impetuosity and delusion amid the clash of arms.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that war can be instigated not only by policy or justice but also by childish pride and delusion; ethical restraint and clarity are implied as superior to impulsive provocation.
An unnamed king rides up to Arjuna (Pārtha/Bībhatsu), the foremost warrior among the Pāṇḍavas, and challenges him to fight, motivated by immaturity and confusion in the heat of battle.