Shloka 22
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
स हय: पृथिवीं राजन् प्रदक्षिणमवर्तत । ससारोत्तरत: पूर्व तन्निबोध महीपते
sa hayaḥ pṛthivīṃ rājan pradakṣiṇam avartata | sa sāra uttarataḥ pūrva tan nibodha mahīpate ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Oh rey, el caballo del sacrificio comenzó a recorrer la tierra en una circunvalación auspiciosa hacia la derecha. Avanzó, manteniéndose primero hacia el norte y luego hacia el oriente. Entiende esto, oh señor de la tierra».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights auspicious, dharma-aligned royal action: the Aśvamedha horse moves in a ‘pradakṣiṇa’ (rightward) course, signaling that sovereignty and ritual power are to be exercised under sacred order and proper observance, not mere force.
Vaiśampāyana describes the movement of the Aśvamedha horse as it roams the world in an auspicious circuit, proceeding along northern and eastern directions—setting the stage for encounters that test and establish the performing king’s authority.