Shloka 18
Aśvamedha-dīkṣā, Vyāsa’s horse-release, and Arjuna’s departure with Gāṇḍīva (आश्वमेधिक-दीक्षा तथा हय-उत्सर्गः)
राजपुत्रो महाबाहु: श्यामो राजीवलोचन: । अभिमन्यो: पिता वीर: स एन पालयिष्यति,“जिनकी बड़ी-बड़ी भुजाएँ हैं, श्याम वर्ण है, कमल-जैसे नेत्र हैं, वे अभिमन्युके वीर पिता राजपुत्र अर्जुन इस घोड़ेकी रक्षा करेंगे
rājaputro mahābāhuḥ śyāmo rājīvalocanaḥ | abhimanyoḥ pitā vīraḥ sa enaṃ pālayiṣyati ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Pangeran itu—berlengan perkasa, berkulit gelap, bermata laksana teratai—Arjuna, ayah Abhimanyu yang gagah, akan melindungi kuda ini.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic stewardship: sacred and royal responsibilities (like guarding the Aśvamedha horse) must be entrusted to capable, disciplined protectors who uphold honor and righteousness while ensuring the ritual’s integrity.
Vaiśampāyana identifies Arjuna—described by heroic epithets—as the appointed guardian of the Aśvamedha horse, indicating that he will accompany and defend it during its sanctioned wanderings.