Shloka 193
यज्ञवाटवैभववर्णनम् / Description of the Splendour of the Sacrificial Enclosure
चारयित्वा हयश्रेष्ठमुपागच्छेदृते3$र्जुनात् । 'अर्जुनके सिवा दूसरा कौन ऐसा वीर पुरुष है जो समूची पृथ्वीको जीतकर युद्धमें राजाओंको परास्त करके और अपने श्रेष्ठ अश्वको सर्वत्र घुमाकर उसके साथ सकुशल लौट आ सके
cārayitvā hayaśreṣṭham upāgacched ṛte 'rjunāt |
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Après avoir laissé errer le meilleur des chevaux, qui—hormis Arjuna—pourrait revenir sain et sauf après avoir conquis toute la terre, vaincu les rois au combat et escorté partout ce noble coursier ?»
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of capability joined with responsibility: imperial rites like the Aśvamedha demand not only power to subdue rivals but also the discipline to protect the sacrificial mission and return without disorder—here embodied in Arjuna as the uniquely qualified agent of Yudhiṣṭhira’s dharmic sovereignty.
In the Aśvamedha context, the sacrificial horse is sent to roam, and any king who stops it must be challenged. Yudhiṣṭhira remarks that no one except Arjuna could successfully escort the horse everywhere, defeat opposing kings, and return safely—underscoring Arjuna’s central role in completing the rite.