Shloka 16
Aśvamedha-dīkṣā, Vyāsa’s horse-release, and Arjuna’s departure with Gāṇḍīva (आश्वमेधिक-दीक्षा तथा हय-उत्सर्गः)
तस्मिन् हा॒स्त्राणि दिव्यानि दिव्यं संहननं तथा । दिव्यं धनुश्वेषुधी च स एनमनुयास्यति,“उनके पास दिव्य अस्त्र, दिव्य कवच, दिव्य धनुष और दिव्य तरकस हैं; अतः वे ही इस घोड़ेके पीछे-पीछे जायँगे
tasmin hāstrāṇi divyāni divyaṁ saṁhananaṁ tathā | divyaṁ dhanuḥ śeṣudhī ca sa enam anuyāsyati ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “He possesses celestial weapons, and likewise a celestial armor; he has a celestial bow and quivers as well. Therefore, he is the one who will follow behind this sacrificial horse.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the dharmic responsibility of safeguarding a sacred royal rite: the one best equipped—bearing superior arms and protection—should undertake the duty of escorting the Aśvamedha horse, aligning capability with obligation.
In the context of the Aśvamedha, a decision is being stated about who will accompany the sacrificial horse. Vaiśampāyana notes that a particular warrior has divine weapons, armor, bow, and quivers; therefore, he will follow the horse as its protector during its roaming.