Shloka 15
पार्थस्तु कृत्वा परमार्यकर्म निहत्य शत्रून् द्विषतां निहन्ता । चकार वेणीं च तथैव भूयो जग्राह रश्मीन् पुनरुत्तरस्य । विवेश हृष्टो नगरं महामना बृहन्नलारूपमुपेत्य सारथि:,क्षुत्पिपासापरिश्रान्ता विदेशस्था विचेतस: । जब कौरव-दलके लोग चले गये या इधर-उधर सब दिशाओंमें भाग गये, उस समय बहुत-से कौरवसैनिक जो घने जंगलमें छिपे हुए थे, वहाँसे निकलकर डरते-डरते अर्जुनके पास आये। उनके मनमें भय समा गया था। वे भूखे-प्यासे और थके-माँदे थे। परदेशमें होनेके कारण उनके हृदयकी व्याकुलता और बढ़ गयी थी। वे उस समय केश खोले और हाथ जोड़े हुए खड़े दिखायी दिये
pārthas tu kṛtvā paramāryakarma nihatya śatrūn dviṣatāṁ nihantā | cakāra veṇīṁ ca tathaiva bhūyo jagrāha raśmīn punar uttarasya | viveśa hṛṣṭo nagaraṁ mahāmanā bṛhannalārūpam upetya sārathiḥ | kṣutpipāsāpariśrāntā videśasthā viceṭasaḥ |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having performed a supremely noble deed, Pārtha—slayer of foes—struck down the enemies. Then, once again, he re-tied his hair into a braid and took up the reins of Uttara’s chariot. Great-souled and exultant, he entered the city, resuming the guise of Bṛhannalā as charioteer. Meanwhile, the Kaurava soldiers—hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, their minds unsettled in a foreign land—emerged fearfully from the dense forest where they had been hiding and stood before Arjuna with loosened hair and folded hands, overcome by dread.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights noble action (paramārya-karma) joined with self-control: after decisive victory, Arjuna returns to disciplined composure, resumes his protective role, and maintains the ethical boundary of his disguise and mission. It also shows how arrogance in war collapses into fear and supplication when dharma-backed strength prevails.
After routing the Kaurava force, Arjuna (as Bṛhannalā) re-braids his hair, takes back the reins, and brings Uttara safely into the city. The scattered Kaurava soldiers, who had hidden in the forest, emerge hungry, thirsty, and terrified, standing with loosened hair and folded hands before Arjuna.