Shloka 17
अर्जुनस्योत्तरदिग्विजयः
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests and Tribute Collection
रथेन तेन वै कृष्ण उपारुह्मु ययौ तदा
rathena tena vai kṛṣṇa upāruhya yayau tadā |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Kṛṣṇa mounted that chariot and set out. It shone like heated gold, adorned with fringes set with small bells; its rolling rumble was like the deep roar of clouds. Famed as a destroyer of enemies and a giver of victory, it bore Śrī Kṛṣṇa onward on his journey—purposeful action upheld by royal power and martial readiness.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores purposeful action supported by appropriate means: royal authority and martial preparedness are portrayed as instruments that, when rightly employed, enable decisive movement toward one’s objective. The imagery of splendour and power also hints at responsibility—such force is meant to secure order and victory, not mere display.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kṛṣṇa mounts a renowned, brilliantly shining chariot—described with bells and a thunder-like rumble—and then departs. The focus is on the chariot’s formidable, victory-bringing character and Kṛṣṇa’s setting out upon it.