Shloka 19
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
अनुजममुर्महात्मान क्षत्रियाश्व विशाम्पते । विधिवत् पृथिवीपाल धर्मराजस्य शासनात्
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Anujam amum mahātmānaṃ kṣatriyāś ca viśāṃpate | Vidhivat pṛthivīpālā dharmarājasya śāsanāt ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô seigneur du peuple, de nombreux kṣatriya et autres souverains de la terre, observant l’ordre rituel prescrit sous le commandement de Dharmarāja, suivirent ce cadet, le magnanime Arjuna. Avec eux, d’innombrables brāhmanes instruits des Veda l’accompagnèrent aussi selon l’injonction de Dharmarāja, manifestant une obéissance disciplinée à l’autorité légitime et le soutien commun à une entreprise royale conforme au dharma.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in governance: a righteous king’s command (Dharmarāja’s śāsana) is to be carried out in a lawful, ritually proper manner (vidhivat), and society’s leaders—kings, kṣatriyas, and learned Brāhmaṇas—support a legitimate royal enterprise through disciplined cooperation.
During the Aśvamedha-related events, Arjuna, the younger brother of Yudhiṣṭhira, proceeds on his mission accompanied by many kṣatriyas and rulers, and also by numerous Veda-versed Brāhmaṇas, all following him in accordance with Yudhiṣṭhira’s directive.