Shloka 18
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
त्वयि प्रतिछ्ठिते साधो रथस्थे स्थिरवाजिनि । पश्चादहमथारो क्ष्ये सुकृती सत्प्ं यथा,साधु सारथे! आप इस रथपर स्थिरतापूर्वक बैठकर जब घोड़ोंको काबूमें कर लें, तब जैसे पुण्यात्मा सन्मार्गपर आरूढ़ होता है, उसी प्रकार पीछे मैं भी इस रथपर आखरूढ़ होऊँगा
tvayi pratiṣṭhite sādho rathasthe sthiravājini | paścād aham athāro(k)ṣye sukṛtī satpathaṃ yathā | sādhu sārathē ||
Arjuna said: “O good man, when you are firmly seated upon the chariot and have the steady horses under control, then I shall mount it afterward—just as a virtuous person, having taken up the true path, proceeds along it. Well done, O charioteer.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Right action begins with order and self-control: first establish stability (the charioteer seated, horses restrained), then proceed—like a virtuous person who first takes up the true path and then advances on it.
Arjuna instructs the charioteer to mount and steady the chariot and horses first; only after the vehicle is secure will Arjuna himself climb aboard, praising the charioteer’s proper conduct.