Shloka 46
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
एवं निर्जित्य तान् वीरान् सैन्धवान् स धनंजय: । अन्वधावत धावन्तं हयं कामविचारिणम्,इस प्रकार सैन्धव वीरोंको परास्त करके अर्जुन इच्छानुसार विचरने और दौड़नेवाले उस घोड़ेके पीछे-पीछे स्वयं भी दौड़ने लगे
evaṁ nirjitya tān vīrān saindhavān sa dhanañjayaḥ | anvadhāvat dhāvantaṁ hayaṁ kāmavicāriṇam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having thus subdued those valiant warriors of Sindhu, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) ran on, pursuing the horse that raced ahead, roaming wherever it pleased.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined kingship: after establishing victory over challengers, the protector continues the Ashvamedha mission by pursuing the freely roaming horse—asserting rightful authority while keeping the action aligned with dharma (order, restraint, and duty).
Arjuna has defeated the Saindhava warriors who opposed the Ashvamedha progress. Immediately afterward, he runs after the sacrificial horse, which is described as moving and running wherever it wishes, as is customary in the rite.