Shloka 3
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
अश्वृं च तं परामृश्य विषयान्ते विषोपमा: । न भयं चक्रिरे पार्थाद् भीमसेनादनन्तरात्
aśvaṃ ca taṃ parāmṛśya viṣayānte viṣopamāḥ | na bhayaṃ cakrire pārthād bhīmasenād anantarāt ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Tras apoderarse de aquel caballo dentro de su propio territorio, aquellos hombres—mortíferos como el veneno—no sintieron temor alguno de Pārtha Arjuna, el hermano menor de Bhīmasena. En su orgullo y enemistad, tomaron el caballo del Aśvamedha como una provocación y eligieron la desobediencia antes que la contención, preparando así el conflicto contra el rito real amparado por el dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how arrogance and hostility can blind people to rightful authority and dharmic order: even a sacred royal rite like the Aśvamedha becomes a trigger for confrontation when opponents act 'like poison' and refuse prudent fear or respect.
During the Aśvamedha, the roaming sacrificial horse enters a realm; the local warriors seize it within their borders and, despite Arjuna’s presence as its protector, they do not fear him, signaling their intention to challenge the rite and fight.