Shloka 20
Rājagṛhe Magadheśvarasya yuddhāhvānam — Arjunena saṃyamaḥ
The Rājagṛha Challenge and Arjuna’s Restraint
ततो गान्धारराजेन युद्धमासीत् किरीटिन: । घोरं शकुनिपुत्रेण पूर्ववैरानुसारिणा,फिर तो पूर्व वैरका अनुसरण करनेवाले गान्धारराज शकुनिपुत्रके साथ किरीटधारी अर्जुनका घोर युद्ध हुआ
tato gāndhārarājena yuddham āsīt kirīṭinaḥ | ghoraṃ śakuniputreṇa pūrvavairānusāriṇā ||
Entonces se alzó para Arjuna, el de la diadema, una batalla terrible contra el rey de Gandhāra —hijo de Śakuni—, que obraba conforme a su antigua enemistad. El choque se presenta como el resurgir de un odio no resuelto, mostrando cómo la animadversión puede reaparecer aun después de grandes guerras y seguir empujando a elecciones violentas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pūrva-vaira (old enmity) can persist and shape present action; ethically, it warns that unresolved hostility perpetuates violence and suffering, even when larger conflicts seem concluded.
Vaiśampāyana reports that Arjuna (called Kirīṭin) engages in a fierce battle with the king of Gandhāra, identified as Śakuni’s son, who fights driven by prior animosity.