Shloka 23
Bhagadatta’s Astra and the Fall of the Prāgjyotiṣa King (भगदत्त-वधः / वैष्णवास्त्र-प्रसङ्गः)
नरश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने रथके द्वारा ही उस हाथीका सामना किया। रथ और हाथीका वह संघर्ष बड़ा भयंकर था ।। कल्पिताभ्यां यथाशास्त्रं रथेन च गजेन च । संग्रामे चेरतुर्वीरी भगदत्तधनंजयौ,शास्त्रीय विधिके अनुसार निर्मित और सुसज्जित रथ तथा सुशिक्षित हाथीके द्वारा वीरवर अर्जुन और भगदत्त संग्रामभूमिमें विचरने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | kalpitābhyāṃ yathāśāstraṃ rathena ca gajena ca | saṃgrāme ceratur vīrī bhagadattadhanañjayau ||
Dengan kereta dan gajah yang diperlengkapi menurut kaidah śāstra, di medan laga kedua kesatria—Bhagadatta dan Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)—bergerak lincah dan saling bertempur.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the chaos of war, the verse highlights yathāśāstram—action governed by established discipline and codes. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring ethical tension: violence is present, yet kṣatriya conduct is ideally regulated by training, propriety, and rule-bound engagement rather than mere rage.
Sanjaya describes Bhagadatta and Arjuna engaging in battle: Bhagadatta fights from a well-prepared elephant, while Arjuna counters from a properly equipped chariot. The verse frames their movement and combat as a formal duel of two elite warriors using their respective war-platforms.