Shloka 18
Ulūpī–Citravāhinī Saṃvāda: Dhanaṃjaya-patana and Prāya-threat
गृहीतं वाजिन दृष्टवा प्रीतात्मा स धनंजय: । पुत्र रथस्थं भूमिष्ठ: संन्यवारयदाहवे
gṛhītaṃ vājinaṃ dṛṣṭvā prītātmā sa dhanañjayaḥ | putraṃ rathasthaṃ bhūmiṣṭhaḥ saṃnyavārayad āhave ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Voyant que le cheval sacrificiel avait été saisi, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) en éprouva une joie intérieure. Bien qu’il se tînt lui-même à terre, il retint son fils—monté sur le char—de s’élancer dans la bataille, le freinant au cœur même du combat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a warrior context, discernment and restraint are virtues: Arjuna, pleased at the turn of events, still checks his son’s impulsive advance, modeling responsible leadership and measured conduct in battle.
During the Aśvamedha-related conflict, the sacrificial horse has been captured. Arjuna, standing on the ground, observes this and feels pleased, but he prevents his chariot-mounted son from rushing forward in the fight.