Shloka 17
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
अज्ञेनाज़ं समापीड्य बाहुभ्यामुभयोरपि । आवृत्य बाहुभिश्चापि उदरं च प्रचक्रतु:
ajñenāzaṃ samāpīḍya bāhubhyām ubhayor api | āvṛtya bāhubhiś cāpi udaraṃ ca pracakratuḥ ||
En el ardor de un forcejeo poco diestro, cada cual oprimía al otro con ambos brazos; luego, trabándolo en un abrazo, le ceñía el vientre con los brazos, retorciéndolo y forzándolo en la lucha.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how lack of proper knowledge or training (ajñena) in a contest leads to harsh, force-driven struggle; it implicitly contrasts disciplined, rule-bound combat with uncontrolled violence.
Two opponents grapple at close quarters: each squeezes the other with both arms, encloses him in a clinch, and constricts the abdomen, twisting and wrenching in an intense wrestling exchange.