Shloka 18
अर्जुनस्योत्तरदिग्विजयः
Arjuna’s Northern Conquests and Tribute Collection
तप्तचामीकराभेण किड्किणीजालमालिना । मेघनिर्घोषनादेन जैत्रेणामित्रधातिना
taptacāmīkarābheṇa kiṅkiṇījālamālinā | meghanirghoṣanādena jaitreṇāmitradhātinā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The chariot shone like heated gold, adorned with a net of small bells. Its deep rumbling was like the heavy roar of thunderclouds. A triumphant, enemy-crushing car—an emblem of assured victory—upon it Śrī Kṛṣṇa set out on his journey at that time, bearing royal splendor and the power that guards a cause when aligned with rightful purpose.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward magnificence (a radiant, victorious chariot) functions as a narrative symbol of strength and legitimacy: power meant to protect and prevail is portrayed as most meaningful when it serves a rightful mission rather than mere display.
Vaiśampāyana describes a splendid, battle-worthy chariot—golden in sheen, hung with tinkling bells, thundering like clouds—and states that Kṛṣṇa rides upon it to proceed on his journey at that moment.