Shloka 12
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य क्रुद्धो राजन् धनंजय: । भूमिष्ठो वारणगतं योधयामास भारत
tam āpatatantaṁ samprekṣya kruddho rājan dhanañjayaḥ | bhūmiṣṭho vāraṇagataṁ yodhayāmāsa bhārata ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Ô Roi, le voyant fondre à l’attaque, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) s’emporta de colère. Bien qu’il fût à pied, il engagea le combat contre le guerrier juché sur l’éléphant ; ainsi, ô descendant de Bharata, il ne céda pas à l’avantage de l’ennemi.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: when confronted by an aggressive assault, a warrior must respond with steadiness and courage, not allowing the opponent’s positional advantage (elephant-mount) to dictate one’s resolve.
As an enemy charges to attack, Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) becomes angry and immediately engages him in combat. Arjuna remains on the ground while fighting an opponent who is mounted on an elephant.