Shloka 9
Traigarta Attempt to Seize the Aśvamedha Horse; Arjuna’s Restraint and Tactical Victory
आकुमारं तदा राजन्नागमत् तत्पुरं विभो । द्रष्टकामं कुरुश्रेष्ठ प्रयास्यन्तं धनंजयम्,जनमेजय! प्रभो! उस समय यात्रा करते हुए कुरुश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनको देखनेके लिये बच्चोंसे लेकर बूढ़ोंतक सारा हस्तिनापुर वहाँ उमड़ आया था
ā-kumāraṁ tadā rājann āgamat tat-puraṁ vibho | draṣṭu-kāmaṁ kuru-śreṣṭhaṁ prayāsyantaṁ dhanañjayam, janamejaya! prabho! |
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Raja, wahai yang mulia, saat itu seluruh kota berbondong-bondong keluar—dari anak-anak hingga orang tua—ingin menyaksikan Dhanaṃjaya, yang terbaik di antara para Kuru, ketika ia berangkat menempuh perjalanan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the bond between a dharmic leader/warrior and the people: public duty is not merely personal ambition but a responsibility carried with the community’s trust, affection, and moral expectations.
As Arjuna is about to depart on a journey, the entire population of Hastināpura—young and old—comes out in a great gathering to see him, showing their admiration and concern at his setting forth.