Shloka 17
वज्रदत्तेन सह अर्जुनयुद्धम्
Arjuna’s engagement with Vajradatta during the Aśvamedha circuit
स तैर्विद्धो महातेजा वज्दत्तो महामृधे । भृशाहत: पपातोर्व्या न त्वेममजहात् स्मृति:
sa tair viddho mahātejā vajradatto mahāmṛdhe | bhṛśāhataḥ papātorvyā na tv enam ajahāt smṛtiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Atteint par ces flèches dans la grande bataille, le rayonnant Vajradatta—bien que grièvement blessé—tomba de sa monture sur la terre. Pourtant sa présence d’esprit ne l’abandonna pas : il ne perdit pas connaissance, demeurant lucide au cœur du choc guerrier.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid extreme violence and injury, the verse highlights steadiness of mind (smṛti) as a mark of heroic discipline—endurance without losing awareness, a valued trait in kṣatriya ethics.
In the course of a major battle, Vajradatta is pierced by arrows and falls to the ground, yet he does not faint; he retains consciousness and composure despite being badly wounded.