Shloka 14
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
अथापरे मनुष्येन्द्र पुरुषा वाक्यमब्रुवन् । नैनं पश्याम सम्मर्दे धनुरेतत् प्रदृश्यते
atha apare manuṣyendra puruṣā vākyam abruvan | nainaṁ paśyāma sammarḍe dhanur etat pradṛśyate, nivṛttam enaṁ drakṣyāmaḥ punar eṣyati ca dhruvam ||
Alors d’autres hommes dirent : «Ô seigneur parmi les hommes, dans cette cohue nous ne voyons pas Arjuna lui-même ; mais son arc, lui, se voit. Quand il fera demi-tour, nous le reverrons — car il reviendra à coup sûr.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s identity and duty can be recognized through unmistakable signs—here, Arjuna’s famed bow—while also expressing communal confidence and auspicious expectation that one who proceeds with resolve will return safely.
Amid a dense crowd, people cannot spot Arjuna directly, but they can see his bow. They remark that when he turns back they will see him again, affirming their certainty that he will return.