Shloka 2
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
अनुगच्छंश्न॒ तुरगं निवृत्तो5थ किरीटभृत् । यदृच्छया समापेदे पुरं राजगृहं तदा,किरीटधारी अर्जुन भी घोड़ेका अनुसरण करते हुए लौट पड़े और दैवेच्छासे राजगृह नामक नगरमें आ पहुँचे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: anugacchaṁs tu turagaṁ nivṛtto 'tha kirīṭabhṛt | yadṛcchayā samāpede puraṁ Rājagṛhaṁ tadā ||
वैशम्पायन बोले— तब किरीटधारी पार्थ अश्वमेध के घोड़े का अनुसरण करते हुए ही लौट पड़े और दैवयोग से राजगृह नामक नगर में जा पहुँचे।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a duty-driven royal enterprise like the Aśvamedha, outcomes unfold through a blend of human effort and providential circumstance (yadṛcchā). The verse frames Arjuna’s movement as guided not only by intention but also by destiny, preparing the ground for ethical tests that arise unexpectedly.
Arjuna, identified by the epithet 'kirīṭabhṛt' (diadem-bearer), is accompanying the sacrificial horse. Having turned back while still tracking it, he arrives—by chance/providence—at the city of Rājagṛha, marking the next location in the Aśvamedha campaign.